Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatric and Child Health

Abstract Ref Number = APCP826

Poster Presentation

Sex-stratified analysis of hemoglobin status and risk of behavior and psychosocial problems of preschool-aged children

AHMAD SURYAWAN,SIMPLICIA MARIA ANGGRAHINI Department of Child Heath Soetomo Hospital Faculty of Medicine Universitas Airlangga Surabaya Indonesia Department of Child Health, Soetomo Hospital Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia

Background : Studies revealed that hemoglobin (Hb) level has correlation with behavior in children. Manifestations of behavior problems can be observed in the forms of hyperactivity, internalizing, externalizing, and attention behavior. However, the effect of sex differences must be taken into account. This study assessed the relationship between Hb levels and behavior in preschool-aged children by sex-stratified analysis Material : A cross-sectional study was held in 66 preschool-aged children at Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. The Hb levels were taken from blood examination. The risk of behavior problems were assessed using Abbreviated Conner’s Rating Scale (ACRS). The risk of psychosocial problems were evaluated using Pediatric Symptom Checklist 17 (PSC-17), and it was scored into 4 different subscales: Internalizing, Externalizing, Attention, and Total score. Sex-stratified statistical analysis was done in correlation test and significance is defined as two-tailed P value < 0.05. Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Nusa Cendana Kupang Results : There were 40 (60.6%) boys and 26 (39,4%) girls children included, with the median of age was 71 (45-82) months. The mean of Hb levels was 11,94 + 0.99 gr/dl. The Hb levels was found to be not correlated with ACRS score (r=0,070; P=0,577) and PSC-17 score in subscale: Internalizing (r=0,146; P=0,243), Externalizing (r=-0,113; P=0,367), and Total score (r=-0,142; P=0,254). However, it was significantly inverse correlated with PSC-17 Attention subscale (r=-0,333; P=0,006), and this correlation was found to be stronger in the boys (r=-0,368; P=0,019) than in the girls group (r=-0,260; P=0,200) Conclusions : Preschool-aged children who are at risk for behavioral psychosocial problems is recommended for Hb levels measurement.

Keywords: hemoglobin preschool-aged children ACRS PSC17