Anthropometric Status, Anemia And Angular Cheilitis In Schoolchildren

Background: Angular cheilitis and anemia can be expected to be correlated in adolescents, and anemia is still prevalent among schoolchildren in Indonesia. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between nutritional status and angular cheilitis. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in East Jakarta and involved 607 schoolchildren aged 6-9 years. Of each subject, height, body weight and hemoglobin concentration were determined, and angular cheilitis was diagnosed. Height for age, weight for age and weight for height were calculated by Survgizi software using the NCHSWHO international reference values. Hemoglobin was determined using 20 µl capillary blood from bloodfinger pricks, and collected in 2 ml of 0.04% ammonia, and measured with a portable photometer. Anemia was diagnosed when hemoglobin concentration was less than 115 g/l. Angular cheilitis was diagnosed when there were red lesions or cracks at the corners of the mouth. logistic regression was used to model the prevalence odds ratio for the occurrence of angular cheilitis in relations to anthropometric status and anemia. Results: The prevalence of underweight, stunting, wasting and anemia among the subjects was 27%, 9.6%, 18.3%, and 12.9%, respectively. Cheilitis was observed in 7.9% of the schoolchildren. The odds ratio for anemia and angular cheilitis was 2.82 (95% C.I: 1.42, 5.61). Conclusions: In children aged 6-9 years, angular cheilitis is significantly associated with anemia, but not with the anthropometric features.