ASSESSMENT OF PATTERNS AND POSSIBLE RISK FACTORS OF PANCYTOPENIA IN CHILDREN TREATED IN SAINT PAUL’S HOSPITAL FROM AUGUST 2021-2024

Abstract

Abstract Background: pancytopenia is a common clinical condition among paediatric patients. It is a reduction of all three classes of formed elements of the blood: erythrocytes, leucocytes, and platelets. It is not a disease entity but a triad of findings that may result from a number of disease processes. The risk factors may vary in different patients and in different areas of the world. Assessing the risk factors helps to identify gaps and suggest possible interventions for policymakers. Objective: It was aimed to determine the pattern and risk factors of pancytopenia among children treated in Saint Paul’s hospital over a 3-year period from August 2021 to August 2024. Methods: A 3-year retrospective facility-based descriptive study was carried out at the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at Saint Paul’s Hospital. Retrospectively, a chart review was done for the children who were treated at our hospital from August 2021 to August 2024. The diagnosis of pancytopenia was considered based on their laboratory values showing neutropenia, anaemia, and thrombocytopenia. A total of 89 patients’ were included in the study according to the inclusion criteria. Results: pancytopenia mostly affected children who were between one and five years of age. Most common clinical symptoms were decreased Appetite followed by generalised fatigability and fever, and the sign was lymphadenopathy. The most common underlying aetiology was aplastic anaemia, followed by ALL and infection. Conclusion: The most common cause of pancytopenia was aplastic anemia and ALL which is a different picture from other studies. Most of children presented with generalised fatigability decreased appetite,, and fever. The disease processes signify underlying causes, which warrant thorough workup.