Iron-deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency anemia is a condition resulting from too little

iron in the body
The most common and widespread nutritional disorder in the
world.
2 billion people over 30% of the worlds population are
anemic, (many due to iron deficiency)
Major health consequences include: poor pregnancy outcome,
impaired physical and cognitive development, increased risk of
morbidity in children and reduced work productivity in adults.
Anemia contributes to 20% of all maternal deaths.

What is it?
Source: http://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/ida/en/index.html

 We need iron for maintaining healthy cells and for

producing hemoglobin
Red blood cells bring oxygen to the body's tissues. Healthy
red blood cells are made in your bone marrow. Red blood
cells move through your body for 3 to 4 months. Parts of
your body then remove old blood cells.
Iron is a key part of red blood cells. Without iron, the blood
cannot carry oxygen effectively. Your body normally gets
iron through your diet and by re-using iron from old red
blood cells.

What do Iron-Deficient RBCS

look like?

What do Iron-Deficient
RBCS look like?

Identifying Iron-Deficient RBCs

significant variation in cell size and shape

decreased amount of hemoglobin and red blood cells
Hypochromic (pale, colorless) and very small RBCs
Small numbers of nucleated RBCs

Iron-deficiency Anemia is
caused by:
insufficient iron in the diet
poor absorption of iron by the body
ongoing blood loss, most commonly from menstruation or
from gradual blood loss in the intestinal tract
periods of rapid growth
You lose more blood cells and iron than your body can replace
Your body is able to absorb iron, but you are not eating enough
foods with iron in them
Your body needs more iron than normal (such as if you are
pregnant or breastfeeding)
-Source, http://www.hematology.org/Patients/Blood-Disorders/Anemia/5263.aspx

What Are the Signs and Symptoms

of Iron-Deficiency Anemia?

Being pale or having yellow sallow skin

Unexplained fatigue or lack of energy
Shortness of breath or chest pain, especially with activity
Unexplained generalized weakness
Rapid heartbeat
Pounding or whooshing in the ears
Headache, especially with activity
Craving for ice or clay picophagia
Sore or smooth tongue
Brittle nails or hair loss

Iron supplements
Blood transfusions
Dietary changes
Iron therapy

Treatments