Abstract

Dr. Govindarajalu Ganesan*

ABSTRACT

Objective: Serum iron as an important indicator of iron deficiency anemia in severe hookworm infection diagnosed by doing endoscopy is studied. Methods: A study of 1100 patients who had undergone upper gastro-intestinal endoscopy for a period of four and half years from May 2009 to October 2013 was carried out. In all the patients found to have hookworms in duodenum, investigations were done to know about the presence of severe anaemia. In patients with severe anaemia[haemoglobin <7g/dl or g%] peripheral smear examination was also done in addition to haemoglobin estimation. But in one patient with severe anaemia, in addition to haemoglobin estimation and peripheral smear examination which indicate iron deficiency anaemia, serum iron is also done. The results were found as given below. Results: Out of these 1100 patients, 14 patients found to have hookworms in duodenum were taken into consideration for our study. Out of these14 patients, 2 patients were found to have severe anaemia[haemoglobin <7g/dl or g%] due to severe hookworm infection. The peripheral smear of both the patients showed severe hypochromic anaemia. In one patient with severe anaemia, in addition to low haemoglobin and microcytic hypochromic RBCs in peripheral smear examination which indicate iron deficiency anaemia, serum iron is also found to be very low. Conclusion: Hence in addition to low haemoglobin and microcytic hypochromic RBCs in peripheral smear examination which indicate iron deficiency anaemia, low serum iron is also as an important indicator of iron deficiency anemia in severe hookworm infection diagnosed by doing endoscopy.