Iron Deficiency

M. Sc. Dietetics and Food Service Management, Child Nutritionist, Diabetes Educator

Anemia is a condition characterized by low haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations in the blood below the standard levels for age and gender, as specified by the World Health Organization (WHO). Nutritional iron deficiency is rapidly becoming a public health concern worldwide and demands attention, especially in developing countries (8), having major consequences on the health, social and economic development of an individual affecting the quality of life (1)

Approximately 30% of the world’s population is affected by iron deficiency Anemia (IDA), more prevalent in children, neonates, and females of the reproductive age group. In pre-menopausal women, blood loss during menstruation and pregnancy-related blood loss contribute to major risk factors (4) Recent research suggests that nutritional Anemia accounts for approximately 70% Anemia prevalence among Indian children and adolescents, specifically in females (2) Apart from Indian staple dietary habits, high altitude, temperature, and humidity affect oxygen binding to Hb, which increases the RDA requirements of iron. Furthermore, poor iron availability is a major contributing factor in IDA along with the low content of iron in staple vegetarian diets (3)

Iron being the most indispensable element of haemoglobin, iron deficiency is the most common cause of Anemia. A wide range of factors can be attributed to causing iron deficiency apart from insufficient iron intake including increased systemic requirements for example pregnancy, decreased absorption such as celiac disease, or blood loss such as menstrual blood loss in premenopausal women (6)

Certain diseases such as bone marrow suppression, haemolytic diseases such as sickle cell Anemia and malaria, chronic blood loss for example, hookworm infestation, and/or underlying malignancies. Apart from iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 deficiencies are also common causes of iron deficiency (5)

Classic clinical symptoms in adults include extreme fatigue and weakness, reduced learning ability, decreased memory, fast heartbeats and shortness of breath, frequent headaches, dizziness, paleness, irritability and excitability, restless legs, cold extremities, brittle nails, hair loss, unusual cravings for non-nutritive substances (pica), etc - mostly seen in pregnant women and children