Lesson 1When to consider referral or transfusion: severe anaemia thresholds, haemodynamic instability, suspected haemolysisCriteria for specialist/transfusion: low haemoglobin, shock signs, haemolysis suspicion; stabilise for higher care.
Transfusion thresholds and Hb cutoffsAssessing hemodynamic instabilityRecognizing suspected hemolysisStabilization before transferIndications for ICU or specialist careLesson 2Caregiver education: iron-rich foods, iron supplementation adherence, signs of worsening anaemia, follow-up testing scheduleTeach parents iron foods, absorption tips, supplement sticking, worsening signs, test follow-up at home.
Iron-rich foods and meal planningEnhancing iron absorption strategiesImproving oral iron adherenceWarning signs needing medical reviewExplaining follow-up tests and timingLesson 3Initial laboratory workup: complete blood count with indices, peripheral smear, reticulocyte count, serum ferritin, CRP, transferrin saturation, Hb electrophoresis indicationsFirst labs: FBC/indices, smear, retic count, ferritin, CRP, saturation; Hb electrophoresis when needed.
CBC and red cell indices overviewPeripheral smear interpretation basicsReticulocyte count and marrow responseFerritin, CRP, and iron studiesWhen to order hemoglobin electrophoresisLesson 4Red flags prompting urgent workup: severe pallor, cardiac signs, failure to thrive, recurrent infectionsDanger signs needing quick check: extreme pallor, heart issues, poor growth, repeated infections, bleeding.
Severe pallor and cardiorespiratory signsSyncope, chest pain, or heart failure signsFailure to thrive and poor weight gainRecurrent or severe infectionsBleeding, bruising, or neurologic changesLesson 5Management strategies: oral iron dosing and formulation, duration of therapy, side effects management, dietary counsellingIron treatment: doses/forms, course length, side effect handling, diet advice, when for injections/referral.
Choosing oral iron formulationWeight-based dosing and schedulesManaging gastrointestinal side effectsDuration of therapy and monitoringWhen to consider parenteral ironLesson 6Interpretation of common lab patterns: microcytic hypochromic vs normocytic anaemia, ferritin adjustments with inflammationRead anaemia patterns: small pale cells vs normal size; adjust ferritin for infection; use indices/smear.
Microcytic hypochromic anemia profileNormocytic anemia in childrenFerritin interpretation with inflammationRed cell distribution width and indicesCorrelating smear with lab parametersLesson 7Differential diagnoses: iron deficiency vs haemolytic anaemias, thalassemia trait, anaemia of chronic diseaseCauses: iron lack vs breakdown anaemias, thal trait, chronic illness; history/exam/labs differentiate.
Distinguishing iron deficiency patternsFeatures of hemolytic anemiasRecognizing thalassemia traitAnemia of chronic disease cluesUse of family and ethnic historyLesson 8Epidemiology and causes of paediatric anaemia with emphasis on dietary iron deficiencyAnaemia stats/causes: diet iron gap, growth spurts, periods, infections, poverty in school kids.
Global prevalence in school-age childrenDietary iron deficiency risk factorsMenstruation and adolescent girlsInfections, parasites, and inflammationSocioeconomic and environmental driversLesson 9Relevant guideline references: WHO iron deficiency guidelines, AAP policy on iron deficiency in infants and childrenWHO/AAP guidelines on screening, diagnosis, prevention, treatment of iron deficiency in kids.
WHO anemia and iron guidelinesAAP policies on screening and therapyNational and local protocol examplesTransfusion and referral recommendationsUsing guidelines in daily practiceLesson 10Targeted history and dietary assessment questions: intake frequency, tea/phytate foods, socioeconomic contributors, growth historyHistory/diet check: iron food frequency, tea/blockers, poverty, periods, growth, other illnesses.
Dietary recall and iron intake sourcesTea, phytates, and calcium inhibitorsSocioeconomic and food security issuesMenstrual and blood loss historyGrowth charts and chronic illness cluesLesson 11Clinical features of iron deficiency anaemia: pallor, fatigue, pica, cognitive and school performance effectsSigns: pale skin/mouth, tiredness, eating dirt, behaviour issues, poor learning/school marks.
Skin, nail, and mucosal pallor signsFatigue, exercise intolerance, tachycardiaPica and restless legs in childrenNeurocognitive and behavioral effectsImpact on school performance metricsLesson 12School performance and development considerations: screening for iron deficiency in at-risk populations, liaison with schools and nutrition programmesIron lack hits studies/growth; screen high-risk, link with schools/nutrition schemes for support.
Screening at-risk school-age childrenEffects on attention and behaviorAcademic performance and absenteeismLiaison with teachers and school staffLinking with school meal programs
