Iron deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional deficiency globally, affecting at-risk groups like infants, children under 5, and women of childbearing age. It occurs when iron levels in the body are low and can cause fatigue, paleness, and other symptoms. Three main forms of anemia exist: iron deficiency, acute blood loss, and deficiencies in folate or vitamin B12. Iron deficiency anemia is primarily caused by blood loss, increased iron demands, and insufficient dietary iron intake. Without treatment, it can lead to increased mortality and morbidities in mothers and children as well as reduced work capacity and immunity. Prevention focuses on dietary modification, food fortification, and iron supplementation, especially for at-risk groups.

1. (MSC Home science previous ,first semester)

2. ANEMIA
 Anemia is defined as reduction in the heamoglobin
(Hb) level in circulation. Anemia is a major global
problem affecting between 20-70% of the population
in various countries.
 3 Forms of anemia :
 Iron deficiency
Acute blood loss hemolytic anemia or bone marrow
failure
Folate, Vitamin B12 deficiency

4. IRON DEFICIENCY - ANEMIA
Introduction
At risk groups
Symptoms
Clinical features
Prevalences
Causes
Consequences
Prevention
Treatment

5. IRON DEFICIENCY - ANEMIA
Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional
deficiency in the world.
Total body iron averages approximately 3.8 g in men
and 2.3 g in woman.
Before anemia occurs the medical condition of iron
deficiency without anemia is called latent iron
deficiency ( LID ) .

6. AT RISK GROUPS
 Infants
Under 5 year children
Children of school age
Woman of child bearing age

8. SYMPTOMS Fatigue
 Signs of paleness
 Brittle nails
 Hair loss
 Irritability and anxiousness
 Shortness of breath
 Low blood pressure
 Low thyroide
 Headaches

10. Clinical features / signs
 paleness of conjunctiva .
 pica,
 Spoon shaped nails. ( koilonychia)
 paleness of mucosa of soft palate.
 Low haemoglobin .
 Swelling of feet in severe anemia .

12. Prevalence of ID
About half the deaths from anemia in the world occur in
South Asian countries . India accounts for over 80 % of
deaths due to anemia in South Asia .
country Children < 5
years
Woman 15 -
49
Pregnant
woman
Maternal
deaths from
anemia
India 75 51 87 22000

13. Causes of Iron deficiency
 Over blood loss
Increased demands
An inability to absorb iron
Increase requirement during pregnancy
Sudden blood loss due to injury
A lack of iron diet

14. 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.

15. Prevention of Iron deficiency
 Dietary modification
Food fortification
Iron supplementation
Short term approach : supplementation with iron
tables.
Long –term approach : food fortification with iron
either for the whole population ( blanket fortification)
or for specific target groups like infants .it requires no
cooperation from users unlike taking iron
supplements.

16. Prevention of iron deficiency / 2
Diet & nutrition education
 Eat more fruits and vegetable .
 No coffee or tea with meals .
 Programmes should be targeted to at risk groups .

18. Treatment of iron deficiency
 Ferrous salts are absorbed better than ferric salts.
 All ferrous salts are absorbed to the same extent.
 Take iron tablets with vitamin C.
 Iron is absorbed best on an empty stomach .not given
antacid.
 Iron supplements .
 Maximum iron dose -200 mg / day

20. Thank you