IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA

Abstract

Globally about two billion people suffer from anemia of various types amongstwhich Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) is the most prevalent type. According to National NutritionSurvey of Pakistan 2011 (NNS), 50.4 % of non-pregnant females suffer from IDA, despite thefact that a variety of low cost, indigenous food sources of iron are available, affordable andaccessible in Pakistan. IDA is a risk factor for complications of pregnancy and low birth weightbaby and is also an independent cause of morbidity and mortality in all ages. Therefore thisstudy was conducted to determine the dietary patterns of iron intake in females of reproductiveage group who had IDA without any other known cause. Study Design: A cross sectionalstudy. Setting: Three tertiary care centers of Ziauddin Hospital located at Clifton, Kemari andNorth Nazimabad. Methods: Reproductive age females suffering from IDA according to theirCBC profile within three months prior to the study were selected through purposive sampling.Females taking iron supplements or with any known cause of iron deficiency were excluded.Total of 141 eligible and consenting IDA patients filled a 7 Day dietary recall questionnaireto determine the iron intake of indigenously available iron rich foods and blood sample wascollected for hematological profiles and iron studies. Results: Mean iron intake was 6.41 ±4.39 mg/day. Median heme and non heme iron intake was 8.0 mg and 28.0 mg per week,respectively. 52.4% of our study population had moderate IDA, 38.2% had pica for one or moresubstance and almost all suffered from one or more symptoms of iron deficiency. Majority ofthe population was consuming non-heme sources of iron. Conclusion: The iron consumptionfrom indigenous dietary sources is very low and contributes significantly to development of IDA.Increasing awareness regarding signs and symptoms of IDA and common dietary sources ofiron will contribute to screening, early diagnosis and correction of the iron deficit thus promotinghealth and preventing complications.