Iron deficiency is a common condition that affects millions of people around the world. It occurs when the body does not have enough iron to produce hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in the blood. Iron deficiency can cause anemia, which is a low level of red blood cells that can lead to fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and increased susceptibility to infections.
The prevalence of iron deficiency varies by age, gender, ethnicity, and geographic region. According to a study by Looker et al1, iron deficiency affects about 7% of toddlers and 9% of women aged 12 to 49 years in the United States. The same study found that iron deficiency anemia affects about 2% of toddlers and 3% of women aged 12 to 49 years in the United States.
Iron deficiency is more common in developing countries than in developed countries. According to a report by WHO2, iron deficiency anemia affects about 30% of preschool children and pregnant women globally, and about 42% of non-pregnant women globally. The report also estimated that iron deficiency anemia causes about half a million maternal deaths and 3 million child deaths annually.
The main causes of iron deficiency are inadequate dietary intake, increased physiological demand, blood loss, malabsorption, infection, and inflammation. Some factors that increase the risk of iron deficiency include poverty, vegetarianism or veganism3, menstruation4, pregnancy2, chronic diseases5, gastrointestinal disorders4, and genetic disorders5.
The diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency depend on the severity and underlying cause of the condition. The diagnosis usually involves blood tests to measure hemoglobin level, serum ferritin level (a marker of iron stores), transferrin saturation (a measure of iron availability), and other parameters. The treatment usually involves oral or intravenous supplementation with iron salts or complexes3. In some cases, additional interventions such as dietary modification3, blood transfusion5, or surgery4 may be required.
Iron deficiency is a preventable and treatable condition that can have serious consequences if left untreated. It can impair physical growth, cognitive development, immune function, work performance, and quality of life. Therefore, it is important to raise awareness about the causes, symptoms, and solutions for this global health problem
