Iron deficiency anemia

Iron is found in the body in two forms, as functional iron and as storage iron. Iron containing compounds play key roles in oxygen and energy metabolism. When people have depleted their stores of iron, they are said to be ‘iron deficient’.

Iron deficiency, as defined by specific biochemical tests, is the most common cause of anemia in most parts of the world.

The term iron deficiency anemia implies that anemia is due to a less than normal quantity of iron in the body.

As iron deficiency progresses to anemia, further consequences become more evident, including changes in behavior and intellectual performance, reduced resistance to infection, increase susceptibility to lead poisoning, loss of appetite, tachycardia and cardiomegaly.

Iron plays an important role in brain development and many studies have indicated that iron deficiency is associated with cognitive impairment, poor motor development, and behavioral problems.

Infectious diseases, especially in developing countries, are frequent causes of anemia. Iron deficiency anemia can readily occur in cases of infection with blood loss.

According to UNICEF severe anemia from iron deficiency is believed to claim lives of 22,000 women during pregnancy and childbirth each year.

The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among children is much higher than among adult women and may partly attributable to the high prevalence of hookworm among children.

The three pediatric age groups most at risk for this type of anemia are infants, toddlers, and adolescents.
Iron deficiency anemia