What is iron-deficiency anemia?

Iron deficiency anemia occurs when the body is unable to produce enough hemoglobin in red blood cells due to insufficient iron. As a result, the blood cannot carry adequate oxygen to body tissues, leading to fatigue and other health problems.

Why does iron deficiency commonly cause anemia?

Iron deficiency causes anemia mainly due to inadequate intake of iron-rich foods, blood loss from heavy menstruation or internal bleeding, and increased iron requirements during pregnancy, growth spurts, or intense physical activity.

What are the common signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia?

Common symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include fatigue and weakness, pale or yellowish skin, shortness of breath, dizziness or lightheadedness, cold hands and feet, brittle nails, and hair loss.

Who is at higher risk of developing iron deficiency anemia?

People at higher risk include women with heavy menstrual bleeding, pregnant women, infants and young children, individuals following vegetarian or vegan diets with low mineral intake, and those with chronic diseases or gastrointestinal disorders.

How is iron deficiency anemia diagnosed?

Iron deficiency anemia is diagnosed through blood tests that measure hemoglobin levels, hematocrit, serum ferritin (iron storage protein), total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and red blood cell count.

How is iron deficiency anemia treated?

Treatment includes iron supplementation taken orally or intravenously under medical supervision, consuming iron-rich foods such as spinach, red meat, lentils, and fortified cereals, and addressing underlying causes like blood loss or poor nutrient absorption.

Iron Deficiency Anemia : Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment - Healthy Home – Trusted Health Tips for Kids, Teens & Families

Q: Can iron deficiency anemia be prevented?

Yes, iron deficiency anemia can be prevented by eating iron-rich foods, improving iron absorption with vitamin C-rich foods, and regularly monitoring iron levels, especially during pregnancy.

Iron Deficiency Anemia Causes

Reviewed by Public Health Expert (MPH), with experience in maternal and child health programs.

Medical Disclaimer : This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. For personalized guidance, consult a qualified healthcare provider. This article was reviewed by a Public Health Expert (MPH) with experience in maternal, infant and child health programs aligned with WHO and UNICEF frameworks.

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Definition of Iron Deficiency Anemia?

It is a medical condition in which the adequate size and colour of RBCs (Red Blood Cells) or the oxygen carrying capacity of the Adequate number of Red Blood Cells is less to meet the physiological needs of the body.

Iron, folic acid, vitamin C, protein, and vitamin B12 create thick red hemoglobin.

It makes the hemoglobin thin, pale and diluted.

It can be defined as the deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood.

How Iron Deficiency causes to Anemia?

The process of hemoglobin synthesis also requires sufficient consumption and intake of essential nutrients such as:

Iron
Folic acid
Vitamin B12
Vitamin C
Protein

Lack of these nutrients causes the formation of smaller red blood cells which are pale and have a decreased oxygen carrying capacity hence anemia.

Cut off levels of Hemoglobin in human body (WHO Standard)

Age Groups	No anaemia	Mild	Moderate	Severe
Children with age 6 to 59 mths	greater than 11 mg/dl	10 to 10.9 mg/dl	7 to 9.9 mg/dl	less than 7 mg/dl
Children with 5 to 11 yrs	greater than11.5 mg/dl	11 to 11.4 mg/dl	8 to 10.9 mg/dl	less than 8 mg/dl
Children with 12 to 14 yrs	greater than12 mg/dl	11 to 11.9 mg/dl	8 to 10.9 mg/dl	less than 8 mg/dl
Non pregnant women (15 yrs & above)	greater than12 mg/dl	11 to 11.9 mg/dl	8 to 10.9 mg/dl	less than 8 mg/dl
Pregnant Mother	greater than 11 mg/dl	10 to 10.9 mg/dl	7 to 9.9 mg/dl	less than 7 mg/dl
Men	greater than13 mg/dl	11 to 12.9 mg/dl	8 to 10.9 mg/dl	less than 8 mg/dl

Impact & outcome:

Overall Development Children reduces
Due to decreasing immunity power, you may frequently get sick
Reduced ability to focus and disinterest in one’s work
Reduced ability to memorize and lack of focus during working and memory of the newly learned materials.
Poor academic achievement
Poor work capability, fatigue, and poor energy
Low productivity
Poor intrauterine growth and an elevated chance of preterm births are linked to maternal anemia, which raises the incidence of low birth weights and compromises the mother’s own survival after delivery.

Impact and outcome of iron deficiency anemia

i. CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS:

Decreasing academic performance, Poor memory power, attention & focus, overall cognitive function etc.
Immunity power decreases and infections arising frequently.
Poor results for motor development
Irregular menstruation Exhaustion/breathlessness
Low stamina
Child mortality

ii. Adults :

Disabilities, weariness, and diminished muscle strength,
Physical activity & work productivity also decreases
An irregular heartbeat
Cardiac arrest
Irritability or mood swings
Hospitalizations
Increased chance of mortality

iii. Pregnant Women :

Early birth
Low birth weight
Blood loss during delivery
Bleeding after giving birth
Deaths from pregnancy
Perinatal care
Neonatal care
Low immunity for which depression and morbidity increases

iv. Lactating Women :

The quality of life
Fatigue
Heart palpitations
Risk of infection
Depression & Stress increases

Iron deficiency Anemia, impact in different age groups

Iron Deficiency Anemia Causes

A) Nutritional: deficiency of these nutrients due to

Low Dietary intake of iron
Low bio-diversity
Tea with meal
Calcium phosphate supplement with meal
Phytic acid and fibre in bran of cereals
Phosphvitin in egg

B) Blood loss or destruction of blood cells due to :

Malaria
Delivery
Parasitic (Hook/round worm) infestation
Blood loss during
Menstruation
During adolescence & pregnancy iron needs are very high

Nutrition:

Lack of iron
Lack of folic acid
Deficiency of vitamin B12
Deficiency in vitamin A
Malnutrition of protein energy

Genetic hemoglobin disorders :

Thalassemia
Sickle-cell anaemia

Non -Nutritional Causes :

Helminths spread by the soil
AIDS
Malaria
Tuberculosis
Fluorosis
Pregnancy and early marriage
Small intestinal problems and mal-absorption
Poor sanitation and hygiene

Approximately Fifty percent of Anemia may be due to Iron deficiency.

Inter-generational Life Cycle of Anemia :

Women with anemia who are pregnant
Low hemoglobin and iron levels in a baby
Anemia identified during early childhood but not treated.
Teenage girl with the condition of menstrual blood loss and low iron levels and hemoglobin levels
Because of low iron reserves, adolescents have to enter this reproductive life phase.

Different types of Nutritional Diversification:

Green fruits and vegetables
Fish, meat, liver, and eggs
You can eat dried fruits, sesame, jaggery, sprouting pulses, ground nuts, jowar, bajra and wheat.
Vitamin-c rich food in our diet increases the chance of more Iron absorption. Vitamin C rich fruits are oranges, lemons, apples, pears & Indian gooseberries (Amla).