Abstract
Background: Iron deficiency anemia is a public health problem of a sizable proportion in developing countries. Recently, emerging biochemical knowledge coupled with the discovery of Hepcidin have greatly advanced our understanding of iron metabolism and offered a better insight into its associated pathophysiology. This knowledge should be applied to iron-deficiency anemia therapy to avoid subsequent sequelae of tissue damage associated with reactive oxygen radicals that are catalyzed by iron, because current practices do not include these advances in the treatment guidelines. In the light of recent progress, the existing iron therapy program in many healthcare settings is controversial. This necessitates adjusting the magnitude of iron dose with respect to the very limited iron bioavailability, as gauged by Hepcidin. The current study was therefore aimed to incorporate newly emerging biochemical knowledge into the current iron-deficiency anemia treatment practice
 Methods: Literature relevant to iron-deficiency studies published in English between 1964 and 2020 and available online was covered.
 Conclusion: Evidently, the existing iron-therapy schedule is both inefficient and toxic. The intricate metabolism of iron should be translated into a more rational iron intervention program with special bias towards low- and middle-income countries requiring a more individualized approach.
 Key words: iron deficiency anemia, hepcidin, oxidative stress, iron therapy
Highlights
Anemia is a worldwide health problem affecting one-third of the global population, and iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) accounts for half of them [1, 2]
The populations in the low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are usually characterized by nutritional deficiencies, low iron-containing food, or problems in absorption of dietary iron due to viral and parasitic infections, for example, malaria, and high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection [14]
To meet iron requirements in LMICs where iron deficiency is widespread, adequate intervention programs are recommended
Summary
Anemia is a worldwide health problem affecting one-third of the global population, and iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) accounts for half of them [1, 2]. How to cite this article: Dr Randa Alsadig Almahdi and Prof. The developing countries, categorized by the World Bank as low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), present the highest incidence as well as more severe anemia, especially in specific populations [1, 5]. In the developed countries, IDA is not a major health problem. In these countries, it only endangers certain groups like young children, adolescents, pregnant women, elderly, blood donors, vegetarians, endurance athletes, and migrants [8]
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