Variable Study group N=51 Control group N=77 P value
Mean Hb (g/dl) 5.4±0.8 6.1±1.2 P=0.0004
Peripheral smear (Morphological type of anaemia) Peripheral smear (Morphological type of anaemia) Peripheral smear (Morphological type of anaemia) Peripheral smear (Morphological type of anaemia)
Microcytic hypochromic 27 (52.9) 39 (50.6) P=0.359
Dimorphic anaemia 9 (17.6) 8 (10.4)
Macrocytic 15 (29.4) 30(39.0)
Serum ferritin and iron levels in microcytic +dimorphic anaemia Serum ferritin and iron levels in microcytic +dimorphic anaemia Serum ferritin and iron levels in microcytic +dimorphic anaemia Serum ferritin and iron levels in microcytic +dimorphic anaemia
Serum ferritin (ng/ml) 5.6±5.2 8.6±4.1 P=0.0004
Serum iron (µg/dl) 25.3±6.5 36.2±5.8 P<0.001
Serum B12 and folate levels in macrocytic and dimorphic anaemia Serum B12 and folate levels in macrocytic and dimorphic anaemia Serum B12 and folate levels in macrocytic and dimorphic anaemia Serum B12 and folate levels in macrocytic and dimorphic anaemia
Serum B12 (pg/ml) 110.4±34.5 140.7±42.1 P<0.001
Serum Folic acid (ng/l) 4.1±1.7 4.8±2.3 P=0.018