Abstract
Introduction
Anemia is a frequent clinical finding at the time of diagnosis in children with solid
tumors and may reflect tumor biology, nutritional status, or bone marrow involvement.
However, the pattern and severity of anemia across different solid tumor types in
children remain underreported.
Objective
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of anemia
at presentation among pediatric patients with various solid tumors.
Materials and Methods
This retrospective observational study included 149 children with newly diagnosed
solid tumors, aged 0 to 18 years. Anemia was classified based on the World Health
Organization age-specific hemoglobin thresholds and further categorized into mild,
moderate, and severe grades. Tumors were classified into bone tumors, central nervous
system (CNS) tumors, abdominal tumors, soft tissue sarcomas, germ cell tumors, and
others. Associations between anemia and tumor type were analyzed using descriptive
statistics and chi-square tests.
Results
Anemia was present in 67 (45%) patients at diagnosis. Bone tumors detected in 52 patients
(34.9%) and CNS tumors detected in 34 patients (22.8%) were the most common malignancies.
Among those with anemia, 36.4% had mild, 45.5% moderate, and 18.2% severe anemia.
Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between red cell indices (mean
corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin [MCH], red cell distribution width
[RDW], mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) and anemia status (p < 0.001), with low MCH and high RDW suggesting the anemia was predominantly microcytic
and hypochromic, with substantial anisocytosis.
Conclusion
Anemia is a common presenting feature in pediatric solid tumors. Detailed investigations
to delineate the etiology of anemia are necessary to guide targeted management of
the tumor as well as to correct the anemia.
Keywords
anemia - prevalence - red cell indices - pediatric
