Prevalence of anemia and its severity among children and adolescents: A hospital based cross sectional study in Kabul, Afghanistan

Introduction : Anemia is a prevalent medical condition worldwide and a major contributor to morbidity and mortality among children, particularly in developing countries. Aim of the Study : The objective of this study was to assess the clinical signs and severity of anemia among children and adolescents. Methods : This retrospective observational study was conducted at the Department of Pediatrics, Ariana Medical Complex, Kabul, Afghanistan. A total of 4,132 children and adolescents aged from younger than 1 year through 18 years were evaluated between March 2024 and March 2025. Among them, 1,414 were diagnosed with anemia and included in the anemia-specific analyses. Results: The overall prevalence of anemia was 34.2% (95% CI 32.7%–35.7%) among 4,132 children. Among anemic patients, 53.7% (95% CI: 51.1%–56.3%) had mild anemia, 32.7% (95% CI: 30.3%–35.1%) had moderate anemia, and 13.6% (95% CI: 11.8%–15.4%) had severe anemia. A higher proportion of anemia cases was observed among children from rural areas (56.2%; 95% CI: 53.6%–58.8%) compared to urban areas (43.8%; 95% CI: 41.2%–46.4%). Similarly, anemia was more common among male participants (55.5%; 95% CI: 52.9%–58.1%) than females (44.5%; 95% CI: 41.9%–47.1%). Conclusion : Anemia is common among children and adolescents, with mild anemia being the most frequent form. The condition appears to be more prevalent among males and children from rural areas. These findings highlight the need for early detection and targeted public health interventions.