Iron-deficiency anemia

Iron-deficiency anemia
Other namesIron-deficiency anaemia,

FeDA,

Sideropenic Anemia
Red blood cells
SpecialtyHematology
SymptomsFeeling tired, weakness, shortness of breath, confusion, pallor[1]
ComplicationsHeart failure, arrhythmias, frequent infections[2]
CausesIron deficiency[3]
Diagnostic methodBlood tests[4]
TreatmentDietary changes, medications, surgery[3]
MedicationIron supplements, vitamin C, blood transfusions[5]
Frequency1.48 billion (2015)[6]
Deaths54,200 (2015)[7]

Iron-deficiency anemia is anemia caused by a lack of iron.[3] Anemia is defined as a decrease in the number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin in the blood.[3] When onset is slow, symptoms are often vague such as feeling tired, weak, short of breath, or having decreased ability to exercise.[1] Anemia that comes on quickly often has more severe symptoms, including confusion, feeling like one is going to pass out or increased thirst.[1] Anemia is typically significant before a person becomes noticeably pale.[1] Children with iron deficiency anemia may have problems with growth and development.[3] There may be additional symptoms depending on the underlying cause.[1]

Iron-deficiency anemia is caused by blood loss, insufficient dietary intake, or poor absorption of iron from food.[3] Sources of blood loss can include heavy periods, childbirth, uterine fibroids, stomach ulcers, colon cancer, and urinary tract bleeding.[8] Poor absorption of iron from food may occur as a result of an intestinal disorder such as inflammatory bowel disease or celiac disease, or surgery such as a gastric bypass.[8] In the developing world, parasitic worms, malaria, and HIV/AIDS increase the risk of iron deficiency anemia.[9] Diagnosis is confirmed by blood tests.[4]

Iron deficiency anemia can be prevented by eating a diet containing sufficient amounts of iron or by iron supplementation.[10] Foods high in iron include meat, nuts, and foods made with iron-fortified flour.[11] Treatment may include dietary changes, iron supplements, and dealing with underlying causes, for example medical treatment for parasites or surgery for ulcers.[3] Supplementation with vitamin C may be recommended due to its potential to aid iron absorption.[5] Severe cases may be treated with blood transfusions or iron infusions.[3]

Iron-deficiency anemia affected about 1.48 billion people in 2015.[6] A lack of dietary iron is estimated to cause approximately half of all anemia cases globally.[12] Women and young children are most commonly affected.[3] In 2015, anemia due to iron deficiency resulted in about 54,000 deaths – down from 213,000 deaths in 1990.[7][13]

  1. ^ a b c d e Janz TG, Johnson RL, Rubenstein SD (November 2013). "Anemia in the emergency department: evaluation and treatment". Emergency Medicine Practice. 15 (11): 1–15, quiz 15–6. PMID 24716235.
  2. ^ "What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Iron-Deficiency Anemia?". NHLBI. 26 March 2014. Archived from the original on 5 July 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i "What Is Iron-Deficiency Anemia? – NHLBI, NIH". www.nhlbi.nih.gov. 26 March 2014. Archived from the original on 16 July 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  4. ^ a b "How Is Iron-Deficiency Anemia Diagnosed?". NHLBI. 26 March 2014. Archived from the original on 15 July 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  5. ^ a b "How Is Iron-Deficiency Anemia Treated?". NHLBI. 26 March 2014. Archived from the original on 28 July 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  6. ^ a b Vos T, Allen C, Arora M, Barber RM, Bhutta ZA, Brown A, et al. (GBD 2015 Disease and Injury Incidence and Prevalence Collaborators) (October 2016). "Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 310 diseases and injuries, 1990–2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015". Lancet. 388 (10053): 1545–1602. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31678-6. PMC 5055577. PMID 27733282.
  7. ^ a b Wang H, Naghavi M, Allen C, Barber RM, Bhutta ZA, Carter A, et al. (GBD 2015 Mortality and Causes of Death Collaborators) (October 2016). "Global, regional, and national life expectancy, all-cause mortality, and cause-specific mortality for 249 causes of death, 1980–2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015". Lancet. 388 (10053): 1459–1544. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(16)31012-1. PMC 5388903. PMID 27733281.
  8. ^ a b "What Causes Iron-Deficiency Anemia?". NHLBI. 26 March 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  9. ^ "Micronutrient deficiencies". World Health Organization (WHO). Archived from the original on 13 July 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  10. ^ "How Can Iron-Deficiency Anemia Be Prevented?". NHLBI. 26 March 2014. Archived from the original on 28 July 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  11. ^ "Iron". Office of Dietary Supplements. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  12. ^ Combs GF (2012). The Vitamins. Academic Press. p. 477. ISBN 978-0-12-381980-2.
  13. ^ Naghavi M, Wang H, Lozano R, Davis A, Liang X, Zhou M, et al. (GBD 2013 Mortality and Causes of Death Collaborators) (January 2015). "Global, regional, and national age-sex specific all-cause and cause-specific mortality for 240 causes of death, 1990–2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013". Lancet. 385 (9963): 117–71. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(14)61682-2. PMC 4340604. PMID 25530442.