Efficacy of Sharbat Maweez in the management of soo ul qiniya bawajahe qillat e faulad (Iron deficiency anemia) an open randomised standard control study

Anemia is the abnormal reduction in the number of circulating RBC, the quantity of hemoglobin, and the volume of packed red cells in a given unit of blood resulting in lower ability for the blood to carry oxygen to body tissues. Iron deficiency is the commonest cause of anemia, especially in developing countries where a sizeable percentage of population is anaemic. Iron is essential for multiple metabolic processes including oxygen transport, DNA synthesis and electron transport. Iron deficiency can also result in diminished growth and learning. According to National Family Health Survey NFHS4 data, the incidence of anemia in urban children is 55.9%, rural is 59.4% and overall is 58.4%. According to WHO definition of anemia, children of 6 months to 5 years with hemoglobin <11 gm/dl, 5 years to 11 years with hemoglobin <11.5gm/dl, 12 years to 14 years with hemoglobin <12gm/dl,15years to 19 years girls with hemoglobin <12gm/dl and boys with hemoglobin <13gm/dl are considered anemic. Pregnant females with hemoglobin <11gm/dl, non pregnant females with hemoglobin <12gm/dl and adult males having hemoglobin <13gm/dl are considered anemic. Iron need is maximum in the period of infancy and childhood. Iron deficiency at this age can result in neurodevelopmental and cognitive deficits which may not be reversible. Iron deficiency also makes the children susceptible for infection, seizures, breath holding spells in children and exacerbations of restless legs syndrome in adults. Iron deficiency can arise either due to inadequate intake, poor bio-availability of dietary iron. Anemic patients particularly children are at high risk of long term impairment of mental or motor development, low IQ level, lack of concentration and decreased physical activity. Iron tablets and syrups have certain side effects such as abdominal cramping, nausea, constipation, dark and hard stool. Now attention is focused on herbal drugs due to their variable role in anemia with no or negligible side effects and cost effectiveness. Therefore the search for efficient and safe medications for the treatment of anemia is of utmost importance.