Anaemia

Unexplained anaemia can suggest ART failure. In our setting this is defined as anaemia not explained by non HIV-conditions and not responding to standard therapy with haematinics, antimalarial agents or antihelminthic agents as per IMCI-guidelines.

Treat with the following:

3-6kg 6-10kg 10-15kg 15-20kg 20-29kg
Iron/folate tablet* - - ½ ½ 1
Iron syrups** 1ml 1.25ml 2ml 2.5ml 4ml

* ferrous sulphate 200mg & folate 250ug = 60mg elemental iron
** ferrous fumarate 100mg/5ml = 20mg/ml elemental iron

Review patient and repeat Hb after 2 weeks: If there is no significant improvement in Hb would be considered as unexplained anaemia.