DECE-2

Block 5
Nutrition related disorders in
Early Childhood

By Prof. Rekha Sharma Sen

 UNIT 16
MAJOR DEFICIENCY DISEASES-II:
ANAEMIA AND IODINE DEFICIENCY
DISORDERS
 Objectives

Describe the nature and causes of nutritional anaemias and

iodine deficiency disorders
Identify the clinical features of anaemias and iodine deficiency
disorders, and
List measures for control of anaemias and iodine deficiency
disorders
 Nutritional Anaemias

Anaemia is nutritional disorder commonly seen among women

in the reproductive age group and young children.
Anaemia is a major cause of premature births, low birth
weight and perinatal mortality.
Iron (Haem)+ Protein (Globin)→ Haemoglobin
Deficiency of Vit B12 and folic acid can also lead to anaemia
 CUT –OFFS OF HAEMOGLOBIN
(WHO CLASSIFICATION)

AGE g/100 ml
6 months to 6 years 11
6 years to 12 years 12
>12 years Male 13
>12 years Female 12
Pregnant women 11
 Clinical Features
Lack of haemoglobin→ Poor supply of oxygen to tissue→ Lower
capacity to do physical work
Usual symptoms of anaemia are fatigue, giddiness, breathlessness
on exertion, sleeplessness, palpitation and loss of appetite.
Paleness of the tongue, conjunctiva and the nails. The patient may
feel pins and needles on fingers and toes.
Some may have chest pain.
In severe anaemia, the nails of the fingers and toes become brittle
and spoon shaped.
The tongue may appear smooth and glazed due to atrophy
(destruction) of the papillae (numerous projections on the tongue).
Infections of uterus, kidney and the urinary tract are more
common.
 Causes

Dietary Inadequacy: due to (i) low dietary intake of iron or

reduced absorption of iron in the body.
Losses of iron: In women, apart from menstrual loss, loss of
iron occurs during pregnancy, delivery and lactation.
Iron losses from the body may also occur in people suffering
from hookworm and other worm infestations.
Heavy loss of iron from the body may also occur in case of
surgery or accident.
Folic acid and Vit B12 deficiency
 TREATMENT
Use of iron tablets
Hook worm infection should be treated with medicines.
PREVENTION
1) Dietary Measures:
● Women should be encouraged to consume iron-rich foods
regularly.
● Inexpensive sources of iron like green leafy vegetables, rice
flakes, groundnuts, Meat and liver should be consumed.
● Vitamin C rich and protein rich foods should also be
consumed.
 FORTIFICATION OF FOODS
Baby foods are fortified with iron to protect infants, fed on
artificial milk formulas, from becoming anaemic.

DISTRIBUTION OF IRON AND FOLIC ACID TABLETS

 Iodine Deficiency Disorders
Iodine is essential for the normal growth, development and
functioning of the thyroid gland.
In mountainous and hilly regions, environmental iodine
deficiency occurs due to years of washing of the soil by heavy
rains and glaciers. In plains, repeated floods deplete iodine in
soil.
Foods like cabbage and radish contain goitrogens which
interfere with the utilization of iodine by the thyroid gland.
 Clinical Features
Iodine deficiency disorders includes a range of crippling
conditions which include goitre, mental retardation, hearing
defects, squint, difficulties in standing or walking normally
and stunting of limbs.
Iodine deficient women suffer abortions and still-births.
Their children may be born deformed, mentally deficient or
even cretins.

GOITRE: ‘Goitre’ means swelling/enlargement of the thyroid

gland.
CRETINISM:
● A baby growing in mother’s womb needs iodine for normal
growth and development of its brain and body.
● If mother’s deficiency of iodine is minor, the child’s physical
appearance is normal but the child is affected.
● The damage to the brain shows in poor school performance,
inability to concentrate or perform normally in in everyday
tasks.
● Cretinism is permanent and incurable.
 Control
Use of iodized salt: It is the major aspect of India’s
National Programme for control of Iodine Deficiency
Disorders.

Use of tablets containing potassium or sodium iodide and

addition of iodine to the drinking water.

Use of iodized oil

Thank You