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Iron-deficiency Anemia

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What is it?

Iron deficiency anemia is a condition resulting from too little

iron in the body

The most common and widespread nutritional disorder in theworld.

2 billion peopleover 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.

Source: http://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/ida/en/index.html

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We need iron for maintaining healthy cells and forproducing 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.

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What do Iron-Deficient

RBCS look like?

What do Iron Deficient RBCS

look like?

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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

Identifying Iron Deficient RBCs

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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 orfrom 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 enoughfoods 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

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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 claypicophagia

Sore or smooth tongue

Brittle nails or hair loss

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Treatments

Iron supplements

Blood transfusions

Dietary changes

Iron therapy