scholarly journals Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Public Health Problem of Global Proportions

Author(s):  
Christopher V.
Anemia ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatih Akin ◽  
Ece Selma Solak ◽  
Cengizhan Kilicaslan ◽  
Saltuk Bugra Boke ◽  
Sukru Arslan

The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of our hospitalized patients with the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and effects of the IDA prevention project of the Turkish Ministry of Health which was started in 2004. The recommended dose of prophylactic iron supplementation was 1-2 mg/kg/day. The files of 1519 patients who were hospitalized to Konya Education and Research Hospital Pediatrics Clinic were reviewed. A total of 50 patients consisting of 35 boys and 15 girls with the mean age of 16,59 ± 1,68 months were included into the study. The prevalence of IDA was 3.29% (boys: 4.23%, girls: 2.1%). Hgb and Hct of the patients >24 months were significantly higher than those of the patients with the age of 6–12 months. Iron supplementation receiving rates were very low. Of the 28 patients older than 12 months, only 44% of them had received a full course of iron supplementation for 8 months. In conclusion, although prophylactic iron supplementation lowered the prevalences of IDA, receiving rates of iron supplementation were not adequate. While IDA is still a public health problem, prophylactic approaches should be carried out more effectively.


2016 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 254-257
Author(s):  
Laura Florescu ◽  
◽  
Oana-Raluca Temneanu ◽  
Nicolai Nistor ◽  
Dana Elena Mindru ◽  
...  

Iron deficiency is defined as a condition in which there is not an adequate iron level necessary to maintain the normal physiologic functions. Having the magnitude of epidemics, anemia is a global public health problem, which affects both the emerging countries and the developed ones, with major consequences for human health and for social and economic development. Nowadays, iron deficiency and especially iron-deficiency anemia, remains one of the most severe and important nutritional deficiencies. Each group of age is vulnerable. Infants, small children, pre-school children and teenagers show a higher risk of iron deficiency. Accordingly, the World Health Organization developed an ample package of public health measures that approaches all the aspects related to iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia. Trying to diminish the prevalence of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia, the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) has synthesized in 2014 the recommendations used also at present for martial prophylaxis.


Foods ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1871
Author(s):  
Ângela Liberal ◽  
José Pinela ◽  
Ana Maria Vívar-Quintana ◽  
Isabel C. F. R. Ferreira ◽  
Lillian Barros

Iron deficiency remains one of the main nutritional disorders worldwide and low iron intake and/or bioavailability are currently the major causes of anemia. To fight this public health problem, the scientific challenge is to find an iron form with sufficient bioavailability to increase its levels in humans through food fortification. In turn, biofortification appears as a comparatively advantageous and bearable strategy for the delivery of vitamins and other micronutrients for people without access to a healthy and diverse diet. This approach relies on plant breeding, transgenic techniques, or agronomic practices to obtain a final food product with a higher iron content. It is also known that certain food constituents are able to favor or inhibit iron absorption. The management of these compounds can thus successfully improve the absorption of dietary iron and, ultimately, contribute to fight this disorder present all over the world. This review describes the main causes/manifestations of iron-deficiency anemia, forms of disease prevention and treatment, and the importance of a balanced and preventive diet. A special focus was given to innovative food fortification and biofortification procedures used to improve the iron content in staple food crops.


1970 ◽  
Vol 39 (136) ◽  
pp. 319-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kalapana Tiwari ◽  
S Seshadri

A perusal of the literature on anaemia prevalence in Nepal from 1975 onwards highlightedtwo points: anaemia prevalence is high particularly among women and childrenand that adolescent girls as a group have not been studied much, in fact, theadolescent period is one of the critical periods for anaemia. The present studyassessed prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia and morbidity problems of adolescentgirl. The results highlighted anaemia as a public health problem in girls and its prevalencewas found to be higher in Brahmins girls as compared to Newars and Chhetries.Eighty-two percent of the girls reported health problems such as aches and pains inthe body, infectious morbidities, and weakness and breathlessness. Thus, this femalepopulation groups needs to be paid special attention for health promoting interventionprogram.Key words: Anaemia, morbidity, adolescent girls.


Nutrients ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 277
Author(s):  
Ali Sungkar ◽  
Saptawati Bardosono ◽  
Rima Irwinda ◽  
Nurul R. M. Manikam ◽  
Rini Sekartini ◽  
...  

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) has a long-term impact on each life stage and remains worldwide a major public health problem. Eleven experts were invited to participate in a virtual meeting to discuss the present situation and the available intervention to prevent iron deficiency anemia in Indonesia. The experts consisted of obstetric gynecologists, pediatricians, nutritionists, midwives, a clinical psychologist, and an education expert. Existing interventions focus attention on preconception and early childhood stages. Considering the inter-generational effects of IDA, we call attention to expanding strategies to all life stages through integrating political, educational, and nutritional interventions. The experts agreed that health education and nutritional intervention should be started since adolescence. Further research to explore the effectiveness of these interventions would be important for many regions in the world. The outcome of this Indonesian consensus is applicable worldwide.


2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (30) ◽  
pp. 1845-1858
Author(s):  
Mohamed Ayoya ◽  
◽  
KM Koné ◽  
AK Traoré ◽  

Anemia continues to be a major public health problem in many countries. The prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis, which contributes to anemia, often peak at school age adding to that age group’s nutrition and disease burdens. However, unlike malaria and hookworm infections, little is known on the role of urinary schistosomiasis in iron deficiency anemia. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia and the effect of iron supplementation on hemoglobin (Hb) and serum ferritin (SF) levels among school children infected with Schistosoma haematobium in Bamako, the capital city of Mali. A total of 150 anemic school children between 7 and 12 years were randomly assigned to receive either 40mg/kg of praziquantel or 40mg/kg of praziquantel (P) + daily 66 mg of iron (Fe), five days a week for three months. Hb and SF were measured at baseline and at 6 and 12 weeks of the intervention. Only children who had complete Hb and SF data at each stage of the trial were included in the statistical analyses (n = 74 in the P+Fe group; n = 66 in the P group). At baseline, mean Hb (g/dl) was 10.53±0.93 in the P group and 10.47±1.17 in the Fe+P group; mean SF (µg/l) was 34.39±37.58 in the P group and 29.82±23.34 in the Fe+P group, and the prevalence of iron deficiency was 17.2%. At 6 and 12 weeks of the intervention, there was an important reduction in anemia and in iron deficiency in both treatment groups. Mean Hb (g/dl) was higher in the Fe+P group (11.63±0.88 and 11.55±0.94) than in the P group (11.14±0.98 and 10.84±0.86) at 6 and 12 weeks, respectively. Mean SF (µg/l) was also higher in the P+Fe group (74.26±40 and 100.29±53.92) than in the P group(40.65±35.63 and 40.70±29.57) at 6 and 12 weeks, respectively. In these Schistosoma haematobium infected children, iron deficiency was prevalent and treatments with P alone or in combination with Fe supplementation were able to increase hemoglobin and iron stores. Neither P nor P+Fe by alone completely reversed anemia in this sample population.


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