iron-deficiency anemia

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Related to iron-deficiency anemia: iron deficiency anaemia

iron-deficiency anemia

An anemia due to ↓ Hb production due to ↓ iron; in idiopathic IDA, 62% of Pts have lesions of the upper, lower, or both ends of the GI tract causing iron deficiency–ie, blood loss Clinical FTT, ↑ infections Lab Hypochromia, microcytosis. See Anemia, iron.

iron-deficiency anemia

Abbreviation: IDA

Anemia resulting from a greater demand on stored iron supplies than can be provided. The erythrocyte count may sometimes be normal, but there is insufficient hemoglobin. Erythrocytes are hypochromic and show poikilocytosis. IDA is present in about 8% of men and 14% of women ages 3 to 74 years in the U.S.

Etiology

IDA is caused by inadequate iron intake, malabsorption of iron, blood loss, pregnancy and lactation, intravascular hemolysis, or a combination of these factors.

Symptoms

Chronically anemic patients often complain of fatigue and dyspnea on exertion. Iron deficiency resulting from rapid bleeding, may produce palpitations, orthostatic dizziness, or syncope.

Diagnosis

Laboratory studies reveal decreased iron levels in the blood, with elevated iron-binding capacity and a diminished transferrin saturation. Ferritin levels are low. The bone marrow does not show stainable iron.

Additional Diagnostic Studies

Adult nonmenstruating patients with IDA should be evaluated to rule out a source of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.

Treatment

Dietary iron intake is supplemented with oral ferrous sulfate or ferrous gluconate (with vitamin C to increase iron absorption). Oral liquid iron supplements should be given through a straw to prevent staining of the teeth. Iron preparations cause constipation; laxatives or stool softeners should be considered as concomitant treatment. When underlying lesions are found in the gastrointestinal tract, e.g., ulcers, esophagitis, cancer of the colon, they are treated with medications, endoscopy, or surgery.

CAUTION!

Parents should be warned to keep iron preparations away from children because three or four tablets may cause serious poisoning.

See also: anemia

References in periodicals archive ?

Among the anemic women in the 15-49 year age group, 16.5% were diagnosed with iron deficiency, 15.3% with irondeficiency anemia, and 3% with severe anemia (X2=20.137, df=3, p=0.000); among the menstruating anemic women, 15.2% were diagnosed with iron deficiency, 14.8% with iron-deficiency anemia, and 3.1% with severe anemia (X2=15.186, df=3, p=0.002); among those who had given birth via Cesarean section, 19% were diagnosed with iron deficiency, 28.6% with iron-deficiency anemia, and 9.5% with severe anemia (X2=27.583, df=6, p=0.000); and among the postmenopausal participants, 14.8% were diagnosed with iron deficiency, 4.2% with iron-deficiency anemia, and 0.5% with severe anemia (X2=19.160, df=3, p=0.000) (Table-III).

Prevalence of anemia and related factors among women in Turkey

* Low serum ferritin + normal hemoglobin--suggests borderline iron-deficiency anemia.

Too little or too much iron poses serious health consequences

Parameters of iron status used in iron assessment Iron status stored iron Transport iron (ferritin) (transferrin) Iron-deficiency anemia Low Low Iron depletion Low Normal Normal iron status Normal Normal Iron overload High High Iron status Functional iron (haemoglobin) Iron-deficiency anemia Low Iron depletion Normal Normal iron status Normal Iron overload Normal Table 2.

Iron supplementation--is it necessary for healthy pregnancy?

While there are several types of anemia, a greater number of African-American women suffer from iron-deficiency anemia. Doctors says that may be because Black women are more likely to have fibroid tumors, which can result in extremely heavy or prolonged menstrual periods.

Anemia

The United States Preventive Services Task Force, (9) American Academy of Family Physicians, and American Academy of Pediatrics (11) recommend screening infants for iron-deficiency anemia but do not address appropriate follow-up for positive screens.

How should we follow up a positive screen for anemia in a 1-year old?

The word anemia is based on Greek words describing "without blood." Used as a catchall for a number of conditions, including iron-deficiency anemia and sports anemia, it occurs when the body's red blood cell count is abnormally low.

Pumping iron: prevent anemia by boosting iron consumption

In defined iron-deficiency anemia, cell size (MCV) and hemoglobin content (MCH) are reduced and the concentration of hemoglobin per cell (MCHC) is also down.

Understanding Iron Metabolism

On the contrary, manufacturers are encouraged to add iron to food in order to prevent iron-deficiency anemia. "Iron deficiency remains a significant problem in this country in school-age children and women of reproductive years," says hematologist James D.

High iron stores may increase cancer risk

This eventually led the way to the cure for a kind of anemia much more dangerous than simple iron-deficiency anemia.

Anemia

Iron-deficiency anemia is no more common among vegetarians than non-vegetarians, in part because the body adapts.

What, meat worry?

Responsiveness to parenteral iron therapy in children with oral iron-refractory iron-deficiency anemia. Pediatr Hematol Oncol.

EVALUATION OF INJECTABLE IRON SUCROSE THERAPY IN CHILDREN WITH IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA

In this study, our aim was to find out about the state of usage of iron preparation, which is distributed free of charge by the Ministry of Health, for the infants between 4-12 months in our country, as well as detecting the awareness degree of families those who are informed about iron-deficiency anemia (IDA), prophylaxis of the drug and to determine the drug's effectiveness.

Use of iron supplements in children aged 1-2 years with iron deficiency anemia: A cross-sectional study