microbiology

2. IRON IN NATURE
Iron is among the abundant minerals on earth.
Of the 87 elements in the earth’s crust, Iron
constitutes 5.6% and ranks fourth behind
Oxygen (46.4%), Silicon (28.4%) and Aluminum
(8.3%).
 In soil, Iron is 100 times more than Ca, Na & Mg
and1000 times more than Zinc and 100,000
times more than Iodine.

3. DIETARY IRON
There are 2 types of iron in the diet; haem
iron and non-haem iron
Haem iron is present in Hb containing animal
food like meat, liver & spleen
Non-haem iron is obtained from cereals,
vegetables & beans
Milk is a poor source of iron, hence breast-fed
babies need iron supplements

4. ROLE OF IRON IN THE BODY
Iron have several vital functions
Carrier of oxygen from lung to tissues
Transport of electrons within cells
Co-factor of essential enzymatic reactions:
Neurotransmission
Synthesis of steroid hormones
Synthesis of bile salts
Detoxification processes in the liver

5. Iron deficiency Anemia
 A common form of nutritional disorder, iron
deficiency results in anemia as iron is
necessary to make hemoglobin, key molecule
in red blood cells responsible for the
transport of oxygen. In iron deficiency
anemia, the red cells appear abnormal and
are unusually small (microcytic) and pale
(hypochromic).The pallor of the red cells
reflects their low hemoglobin content.

6. IRON DEFICIENCY
Iron deficiency is the most common
micronutrient deficiency in the world
affecting 1.3 billion people i.e. 24% of the
world population.
In comparison only 275 million are iodine
deficient and 45 million children below age 5
years areVitamin A deficient.

7. IRON DEFICIENCY
Iron deficiency can range from sub-clinical
state to severe iron deficiency anemia.
Different stages are identified by clinical
findings & lab tests.

8. AT RISK GROUPS
Infants
Under 5 children
Children of school age
Women of child bearing age

9. ETIOLOGY
Inadequate intake of iron & of food, which
enhances iron absorption.
High intake of inhibitors of iron absorption
Hookworm infestation.
Blood loss (heavy menses & use of aspirin &
NSAID).
High fertility rate in womem.
Low iron stores in newborns.

10. DIAGNOSIS OF IDA
Clinical: symptoms (fatigue, dizziness ,
palpitations..etc) & signs (pallor, smooth
tongue, Koilonychia, splenomegaly &
dysphagia in elderly women).
Laboratory
Stainable iron in bone marrow
Response to iron supplements

11. Consequences of Iron Deficiency
Increase maternal & fetal mortality.
Increase risk of premature delivery and LBW.
Learning disabilities & delayed psychomotor
development.
Reduced work capacity.
Impaired immunity (high risk of infection).
Inability to maintain body temperature.
Associated risk of lead poisoning because of
pica.

12. MANAGEMENT OF IDA
Blood transfusion if heart failure is
eminent
IV or IM iron in pregnant women
Oral iron 3-5 mg Fe/kg/day
Treat underlying cause
Dietary education

13. PREVENTION OF IDA
Dietary modification
Food fortification
Iron supplementation

14. PREVENTION OF IDA /2
Diet & nutrition education
eat more fruits and vegetable
no coffee or tea with meals
programmes should be targeted to
at risk groups
reduce phytic content of cereals and
legumes by fermentation

15. Situation of Iron Deficiency
 Nearly 46 percent of children (6–59 months)
and 35 percent of women (15–49 years) were
still suffering from anemia though the trend
has been decreasing for the last 15 years.
Mostly, young children (6–23 months) and
pregnant women were the victims due to
their high iron requirements and lower intake
of dietary iron.