Iron deficiency anemia

It is by mass the most common element on Earth, forming

much of Earth's outer and inner core.

It is the fourth most common element on earth crust.

Iron distribution (total -3-4g)

Hb -2.5g

Myoglobin and enzymes –

0.5g

Transferrin 0.003g

Iron stores 0.6 – 1 g

Incidence of anemia in Urban children is 71% and in rural is

84% and overall is 79% (NFHS-3)

Anemia

Anemia is present when the Hb level in the blood is 2 SD

below the mean for particular age and sex

Globally, anemia affects 1.62 billion people , which

corresponds to 24.8% of the population

The highest prevalence is in preschool-age children

(47.4%)and the lowest prevalence is in men (12.7%)

However, the population group with the greatest number

of individuals affected is non-pregnant women (468.4

million)

Iron metabolism

haem iron, present in meat, poultry, fish, and seafood;

ascorbic acid or vitamin C, present in fruits, juices,

potatoes and some other tubers, and other vegetables

such as green leaves, cauliflower, and cabbage; and

some fermented or germinated food and condiments,

such as sauerkraut and soy sauce (note that cooking,

fermentation, or germination of food reduces the amount

of phytates).

xamples of simple but effective alterations in meal patterns that

enhance iron absorption might include:

separate tea drinking from mealtime - one or two hours later,

the tea will not inhibit iron absorption because most of the food

will have left the stomach;

include in the meal fruit juices such as orange juice, or another

source of ascorbic acid such as tubers, cabbage, carrots,

or cauliflower;

consume milk, cheese, and other dairy products as

a between-meal snack, rather than at mealtime; and

consume foods containing inhibitors at meals lowest

in iron content, e.g. a breakfast of a low-iron cereal

(bread or corn tortilla) consumed with tea or milk products;

this meal pattern can provide adequate calcium without

hampering iron nutrition.

Other

parasitic disease control programmes, in

particular those

directed to hookworm, schistosomiasis and malaria control;

these programmes can enhance iron deficiency anaemia

control programme effectiveness in a population with

moderate to severe levels of infection; and

incentive policies and improved farming systems that favour

the development, availability, distribution, and use of foods

that enhance iron absorption.

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malaria prophylaxis;

hookworm control;

immunization;

environmental health;

control of micronutrient malnutrition; and

community-based primary health care.

Inhibitors of iron absorption include:

phytates, present in cereal bran, cereal grains,

high-extraction flour, legumes, nuts, and seeds;

food with high inositol content;

iron-binding phenolic compounds (tannins); foods

that contain the most potent inhibitors resistant to

the influence of enhancers include tea, coffee,

cocoa, herbal infusions in general, certain spices

(e.g. oregano), and some vegetables; and

calcium, particularly from milk and milk products.

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