Iron Deficiency Anaemia Overview

Questions and Answers

What percentage of the earth's crust is made up of Iron?

5.6%

Which group is at highest risk for Iron Deficiency?

Infants

Under 5 children

Women of childbearing age

All of the above (correct)

Iron deficiency is less common than Vitamin A deficiency.

False

What are the two types of iron found in the diet?

Haem iron and non-haem iron Signup and view all the answers

_____ is the major protein responsible for transporting iron in the body.

Transferrin Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal hemoglobin cutoff point for diagnosing anemia?

11 g/dl Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following can inhibit iron absorption?

Spinach Signup and view all the answers

What factors can increase non-haem iron absorption?

Ascorbic acid and muscle protein Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the possible causes of chronic iron deficiency?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Iron in Nature

Iron constitutes 5.6% of the earth's crust, making it the fourth most abundant element after Oxygen, Silicon, and Aluminum.
Present in soil at levels 100 times greater than Calcium, Sodium, and Magnesium, and significantly more than Zinc and Iodine.

Iron Deficiency

Most prevalent micronutrient deficiency globally, affecting 1.3 billion people (approximately 24% of the world population).
Compared to iron deficiency, only 275 million have iodine deficiency, and 45 million children under 5 are vitamin A deficient.
Primary cause of anemia worldwide, linked to chronic health issues and possible indicators of underlying diseases such as tumors.
Anemia is defined as hemoglobin levels below the 5th percentile of healthy populations, with a common cutoff around 11 g/dl.

At-Risk Groups

Infants, children under 5 years, school-aged children, and women of childbearing age are at higher risk for iron deficiency.

Prevalence of Iron Deficiency

South Asia: 56% (0-4 years), 50% (5-12 years), 58% (women)
Africa: 56% (0-4 years), 49% (5-12 years), 44% (women)
Latin America: 26% (0-4 years), 26% (5-12 years), 17% (women)
Gulf Arabs: 40% (0-4 years), 36% (5-12 years), 38% (women)
Developed countries: 12% (0-4 years), 7% (5-12 years), 11% (women)
Global averages: 43% (0-4 years), 37% (5-12 years), 35% (women)

Etiology of Iron Deficiency

Inadequate dietary intake and consumption of foods that enhance absorption or inhibit it.
Hookworm infestations, heavy menstrual bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding, and high fertility rates contribute to deficiency.
Newborns may have low iron stores, necessitating attention.

Dietary Iron

Two forms: Hem iron (from animal sources like meat) and Non-haem iron (from plant sources like cereals and vegetables).
Milk is a poor source of iron; breastfed infants may require supplements.

Iron Absorption

Hem iron absorption ranges from 20-30%, largely unaffected by other dietary components.
Non-haem iron absorption varies (2%-100%) and is influenced by body's iron status, solubility of iron compounds, gut health, and presence of absorption inhibitors.

Inhibitors of Iron Absorption

Foods with polyphenols: tea, coffee, cocoa, and certain cereals/vegetables can significantly reduce iron absorption.
Phytic acid-rich foods: bran, some legumes, and whole grains bind iron and decrease its availability.
Cow's milk inhibits absorption due to high calcium and casein content.

Promoters of Iron Absorption

Ascorbic acid-rich foods (e.g., citrus fruits, broccoli) enhance non-haem iron absorption by converting it to more absorbable forms.
Muscle proteins help absorb iron by releasing peptides that facilitate the transformation of ferric to ferrous iron.

Iron Transport and Storage

Transferrin is the primary protein for transporting iron, binding to transferrin receptors on body cells.
Higher transferrin receptor concentrations in iron-demanding tissues (e.g., liver, bone marrow) indicate a need for iron.
Iron is stored as ferritin and hemosiderin in the liver and bone marrow; ferritin levels help assess iron stores.

Role of Iron in the Body

Essential for various physiological functions, primarily as an oxygen carrier in hemoglobin.

Description

This quiz explores the fundamentals of iron deficiency anaemia, highlighting the significance of iron as a vital mineral and its prevalence as a micronutrient deficiency worldwide. Test your knowledge on the role of iron in nature and its impact on human health.