Anemia

                     




   

What is Anemia?

Anemia is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the condition in which the hemoglobin content in the blood is below normal as a result of the lack of one or more essential nutrients, irrespective of the cause of disability. Anemia may be caused by a deficiency in various nutrients such as iron, zinc, vitamin B12 and proteins. However, anemia caused by iron deficiency, called Iron Deficiency Anemia, is much more common than the others (it is estimated that 90% of anemia are caused by lack of iron). Iron is an essential nutrient for life and operates mainly in the synthesis (manufacture) of red blood cells and oxygen transport to all body cells.

Children, pregnant women, nursing mothers (women who are breastfeeding), adolescent girls and adult women in reproductive phase are the groups most affected by anemia, although men - adolescents and adults - and the elderly can also be affected by anemia.

causes

The causes of iron deficiency anemia, both in children and in pregnant women, are basically the insufficient intake of food sources of iron and / or low bioavailability. In pregnant women, anemia can also be caused by low body iron pre-conception and high necessity of the mineral according to the formation of maternal and fetal tissues.

Symptoms of Anemia

The signs and symptoms of anemia by iron deficiency are nonspecific, necessitating laboratory tests (blood) for the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia is confirmed. The main signs and symptoms of anemia by iron deficiency are:

generalized fatigue
anorexia (lack of appetite)
pallor of skin and mucous membranes (inside of the eye, gums)
less willingness to work
learning difficulties in children
Apathy (children too "stops").



Anemia Diagnosis

For the diagnosis of anemia, it is necessary to refer to laboratory indicators (hematologic). The hemoglobin level is an indicator that has been used extensively in epidemiological surveys for anemia, and is considered appropriate in a preliminary diagnosis for field surveys.

The cutoff point proposed by the WHO to target hemoglobin levels of anemia in children 6-60 months and in pregnant women is less than 11.0 g / dl.

Contrary to what many people think, milk and egg are not important sources of iron. However, the market already there are the milk enriched with iron, which help fight anemia. Among the foods of plant origin, stand out as the source of iron dark green leafy (except spinach), as watercress, cabbage, smell-green, taro; legumes (beans, bean, chickpea, pea, lentil); whole or enriched grains; nuts and nuts, molasses, brown sugar, brown sugar. There are also commercially available iron-fortified foods such as wheat and maize flour, breakfast cereals, among others.

The presence of ascorbic acid, available in citrus fruits, and protein-rich foods in the meal improves the absorption of iron from plant products, such as broccoli, beets, cauliflower and others. On the other hand, there are some factors (phosphates, polyphenols, tannins, calcium) that can inhibit the absorption of iron, present in coffee, tea, mate, whole grains, milk and dairy products.

We emphasize that breast milk is considered protective against iron deficiency anemia due to high bioavailability of existing iron. Studies show association of anemia in children who had little time for exclusive breastfeeding, prolonged feeding with cow's milk and the introduction of early complementary feeding.

possible complications

Iron is an essential nutrient for life and operates mainly in the synthesis (manufacture) of red blood cells and oxygen transport to all body cells.

Iron deficiency anemia causes the following adverse effects or consequences: decreased work productivity, decreased learning capacity, growth retardation, apathy (morbidity), significant loss of cognitive ability, low birth weight and perinatal mortality. Additionally, anemia may be the primary cause of deaths from five pregnant women or be associated with up to 50% of all deaths.

In children anemia is associated with growth retardation, impaired learning ability (cognitive development), motor coordination and language, behavioral effects such as inattention, fatigue, reduced physical activity and affectivity, as well as a low resistance to infections. In pregnant women, anemia is associated with low birth weight and an increase in perinatal mortality.