By: Shania
Iron deficiency anemia is a common nutritional deficiency especially in developing countries. Iron deficiency anemia is a condition in which blood lacks adequate healthy red blood cells. The main principles in management of iron deficiency anemia include investigation and elimination of the cause leading to iron deficiency, replacement of deficiency, improvement of nutrition and education of the patient and family.
CAUSES
Iron deficiency anemia occurs when your body doesn't have enough iron to produce hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the part of red blood cells that gives blood its red color and enables the red blood cells to carry oxygenated blood throughout your body. If you aren't consuming enough iron, or if you're losing too much iron, your body can't produce enough hemoglobin, and iron deficiency anemia will eventually develop. Causes of iron deficiency anemia include:
Blood loss. Blood contains iron within red blood cells. So if you lose blood, you lose some iron.
A lack of iron in your diet. Your body regularly gets iron from the foods you eat. If you consume too little iron, over time your body can become iron deficient. Examples of iron-rich foods include meat, eggs, leafy green vegetables and iron-fortified foods.
An inability to absorb iron. Iron from food is absorbed into your bloodstream in your small intestine. An intestinal disorder, such as celiac disease, which affects your intestine's ability to absorb nutrients from digested food, can lead to iron deficiency anemia.
RISK FACTORS
These groups may have an increased risk of iron deficiency anemia:
Infants, especially those who were low birth weight or born prematurely, who don't get enough iron from breast milk or formula may be at risk of iron deficiency.
Children need extra iron during growth spurts.
Vegetarians. People who don't eat meat may have a greater risk of iron deficiency anemia if they don't eat other iron-rich foods.
Frequent blood donors. People who routinely donate blood may have an increased risk of iron deficiency anemia since blood donation can deplete iron stores. Low hemoglobin related to blood donation may be a temporary problem remedied by eating more iron-rich foods.
DIAGNOSIS
Iron deficiency anemia is diagnosed by blood tests that should include a complete blood count (CBC). In an individual who is anemic from iron deficiency, these tests usually show the following results:
Low hemoglobin (Hg) and hematocrit (Hct)
Low mean cellular volume (MCV)
Low ferritin
Low serum iron (FE)
High transferrin or total iron-binding capacity (TIBC)
Low iron saturation
SYMPTOMS
As the body becomes more deficient in iron and anemia worsens, the signs and symptoms intensify. Iron deficiency anemia signs and symptoms may include:
Extreme fatigue
Weakness
Pale skin
Chest pain, fast heartbeat or shortness of breath
Headache, dizziness or lightheadedness
Cold hands and feet
Inflammation or soreness of your tongue
Brittle nails
Poor appetite, especially in infants and children
TREATMENT
Iron supplements. Iron tablets can help restore iron levels in your body. If possible, you should take iron tablets on an empty stomach, which helps the body absorb them better.
Diet changes. Diets that include the following foods can help treat or prevent iron deficiency: red meat, dark green, leafy vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, or iron-fortified cereals. Additionally, vitamin C may help your body absorb iron. If you’re taking iron tablets, a doctor might suggest taking the tablets along with a source of vitamin C, such as a glass of orange juice or citrus fruit.
PREVENTION
You can reduce your risk of iron deficiency anemia by choosing iron-rich foods:
Red meat, pork and poultry
Seafood
Beans
Dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach
Dried fruit, such as raisins and apricots
Iron-fortified cereals, breads and pastas
Peas
PREVENTING IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA IN INFANTS
To prevent iron deficiency anemia in infants, a baby should be fed breast milk or iron-fortified formula for the first year. Cow's milk isn't a good source of iron for babies and isn't recommended for infants under 1 year. After age 6 months, a baby should be fed iron-fortified cereals or pureed meats at least twice a day to boost iron intake. After one year, children shouldn’t drink more than 20 ounces (591 milliliters) of milk a day.
References:
American Society of Hematology. (2022). Iron-deficiency anemia. Hematology.org. Retrieved March 12, 2022, from https://www.hematology.org/education/patients/anemia/iron-deficiency
Cafasso, J. (2021, November 22). What Is Iron-Deficiency Anemia? Healthline. Retrieved March 12, 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/health/iron-deficiency-anemi
Mayo Clinic. (2022, January 4). Iron deficiency anemia. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved March 12, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355034
Özdemir, N. (2015, March 1). Iron deficiency anemia from diagnosis to treatment in children. Retrieved March 12, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4462328/
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