A CASE CONTROL STUDY OF HAEMOGLOBIN LEVEL IN CHILDREN AGED 2 YEARS TO 5 YEARS WITH A LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION IN A TERITIARY CARE CENTRE

Background:Lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children under five years of age, particularly in developing countries. Anemia, especially iron deficiency anemia, impairs immune function and tissue oxygenation, thereby increasing susceptibility to respiratory infections. Aim:To assess and compare haemoglobin levels in children aged 2-5 years with lower respiratory tract infection and in age-matched children without LRTI. Materials and Methods:A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in the Department of Paediatrics, Akash Super Speciality Hospital, Devanahalli, Bengaluru, over 18 months (March 2024 - September 2025). A total of 140 children aged 2-5 years were enrolled, including 70 cases with clinically diagnosed LRTI and 70 controls without LRTI. All participants underwent complete haemogram, peripheral smear examination, serum ferritin estimation, C-reactive protein (CRP) measurement, and chest radiography. Statistical analysis was performed using appropriate tests, and a p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.