Screening for childhood anaemia using copper sulphate densitometry.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate copper sulphate densitometry to screen for childhood anaemia in a primary care setting, with a view to identifying children requiring definitive diagnostic testing and treatment.


METHODS
A cross-sectional screening study. Results of densitometry with a copper sulphate solution of specific gravity (SG) 1.048, corresponding to a haemoglobin (Hb) concentration of 10 g/dl, were compared with laboratory Hb determination.


METHODS
Outpatient department of Pretoria Academic Hospital (73 children) and a local crèche (27 children).


METHODS
One hundred consecutive children, aged between 6 months and 6 years, with informed written consent by parents.


METHODS
Accuracy of copper sulphate densitometry in screening for Hb concentration below 10 g/dl in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, as well as likelihood ratio.


RESULTS
The prevalence of anaemia (Hb < 10 g/dl) was 17% (95% confidence interval (CI) 10.2; 25.8). Copper sulphate densitometry had a sensitivity of 88.2% (95% CI 62.3; 97.9), a specificity of 89.2% (95% CI 79.9; 94.6), a positive predictive value of 62.5% (95% CI 40.8; 80.5) and a negative predictive value of 97.4% (95% CI 90.0; 99.5) in screening for anaemia. The likelihood ratio of a positive screening test was 8.17.


CONCLUSIONS
Copper sulphate densitometry was accurate in screening for childhood anaemia.
Funk
M
M
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Pretoria Academic Hospital and University of Pretoria.
Hambrock
T
T
van Niekerk
G C
GC
Wittenberg
D F
DF
D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019327:Copper Sulfate / Q000191:economics; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003720:Densitometry / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D013046:Specific Gravity
D001798:Blood Proteins; D006454:Hemoglobins; D012709:Serum Albumin; D019327:Copper Sulfate