Vol. 4, Issue 8, Part D (2018)

Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was carried out at a tertiary pediatric care centre of Gwalior district in children aged 6 months to 18years. The details of complete clinical profile and hematological parameters at presentation were recorded.

Results: Ninety four children with a mean age of 4.2 years with a male preponderance were included in the study. Common presenting complaints were pallor, fever and bleeding. Megaloblastic anemia was the commonest cause that was observed in 38.29% cases followed by aplastic anemia (23.4%) and acute leukemia (22.34%) cases, respectively. Infections were the next most common cause of which malaria was the commonest.

Conclusion: Detailed primary hematological investigations along with bone marrow aspiration in cytopenic patients are helpful for understanding the etiology and planning further management. Megaloblastic anemia is commonest cause of pancytopenia in most Indian studies and respond rapidly to effective therapy.