Latent iron deficiency in Indian women and children: A descriptive analysis

Abstract

Iron deficiency is a global health concern, particularly in developing countries like India. While overt iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is well-documented, Latent Iron Deficiency (LID), a precursor to IDA, remains under-recognized. This study aims to elucidate the proportion of the Indian population with latent iron deficiency and underscore the importance of early detection of this condition.: 344624 anonymized medical records available through a personal health record (PHR) application developed by Eka Care, a health information technology company, were analysed. The ethical handling of data ensured that no personally identifiable information (PII) was accessible or utilized during the research process.: Children aged 5-15 years had a LID prevalence of 32.7% (95% CI:27.4%,37.9%) while women aged 15-49 years had a prevalence of 31.5% (95% CI:30.3%,32.6%). 9% (95% CI: 8.5%,9.5%) of men in the same age group had LID.This study revealed a significant burden of latent iron deficiency among Indian women and children. By implementing targeted screening and intervention strategies, one can improve health outcomes and break the cycle of iron deficiency in these vulnerable populations.LID poses a serious risk for developing iron deficiency anemia (IDA) during and after pregnancy. Iron deficiency can adversely affect maternal and fetal health.This burden of LID highlights the critical need for routine screening and early intervention to prevent these adverse outcomes.