Clinicohaematological analysis of aplastic anaemia among children of northern districts of West Bengal.

Though aplastic anaemia in children is an important haematological disorder, not many studies have been undertaken in India and especially in the northern districts of West Bengal. The present study was carried out at North Bengal Medical College and Hospital to find the occurrence, clinical and hematological profile of children with aplastic anaemia. All the children (less than 15 years) having relevant history and clinical features underwent a complete blood count and bone marrow aspiration study (smear and histological sections) and trephine biopsy. Total number of children diagnosed were 21 (M = 17, F = 4), having an age range of 6-14.5 years (mean 11.36). Relevant aetiological factors were noted in 10 cases (47.61%), including history of exposure to insecticides, fungicides and fertilisers in 5 cases (23.81%). The common symptoms were due to anaemia (weakness, pallor in all cases), leucopoenia [fever in 16 cases (76.19%)] and thrombocytopenia [bleeding in 10 cases (47.61%)]. Severe and moderate aplastic anaemia were noted in 7 (33.33%) and 12 (57.14%) cases respectively. The calculated occurrence of aplastic anaemia is 1.96/million population of children/year in the four northern districts of West Bengal. The bone marrow aspiration was satisfactory in all cases. Histological sections of aspirated marrow particle produced better architectural relationship among different components. Aplastic anaemia is a major hematological problem among the children of northern districts of West Bengal. Simultaneous examination of smear and histological sections of marrow particles is a satisfactory method for detection of aplastic anaemia.