Changes in Hemoglobin Level and Mean Corpuscular Volume During the Convalescent Phase of Acute Febrile Illness in Children: A Study of the Possible Role of Hemolysis

Fever is one of the most common clinical manifestations in children. During the early days of acute febrile illness, some decrease in hemoglobin levels occurs due to unspecified cause. 64 children aged 6 months to 12-year-old with a fever higher than 38° for more than one day and with a diagnosis of acute febrile illness were admitted. The values of MCV, ESR, CRP, and hepcidin were measured at baseline and then 7 to 10 days after the improvement of the fever. The levels of reticulocytes, LDH, and bilirubin were also measured in two stages. Data analysis was done using SPSS software. The mean hemoglobin level in the acute phase of febrile illness was significantly increased 7-10 days after discontinuation of the fever by 12.87±1.09 g/dl (P<0.001). The MCV level also significantly increased (P<0.001), and levels of CRP, ESR, LDH, bilirubin, and hepcidin showed significantly decreased during the convalescent phase compared to acute febrile phase, but the level of erythrocyte increased. The present study confirmed the decrease in hemoglobin in children with acute febrile illness. Increasing of bilirubin, LDH, hepcidin, level, and no bleeding was observed during acute febrile infection in children.