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Iron depletion and anaemia: prevalence, consequences, diagnostic and therapeutic implications in a developing
Insights
Iron deficiency anaemia is common in Karachi, Pakistan, affecting 47% of children and 30% of adult females. Low serum ferritin and other indicators highlight the urgent need for diagnosis and treatment in developing nations.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Epidemiology
- Hematology
- Public Health
Background:
- Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is a significant global health issue, particularly in developing countries.
- Children and women of childbearing age are especially vulnerable to IDA due to increased nutritional demands and blood loss.
- Karachi, Pakistan, faces a substantial burden of preventable diseases, necessitating local prevalence data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia in children and adult females in Karachi, Pakistan.
- To assess hematological parameters and iron status indicators in the studied population.
- To highlight the need for improved diagnostic and eradication strategies for IDA in developing regions.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 children (2-6 years) and 200 adult females (17-35 years) in Karachi.
- Anaemia was defined as a haemoglobin level < 11.5 g/dl.
- Iron status was assessed using serum ferritin, iron binding capacity, and serum iron levels. Red cell count, MCV, haematocrit, and MCH were also analyzed.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of anaemia was 47% in children and 30% in adult females.
- More than half of both groups exhibited low serum ferritin levels.
- Abnormal haematocrit and MCH were observed in a significant proportion of children and adult females, suggesting iron deficiency.
Conclusions:
- Iron deficiency anaemia is highly prevalent in children and adult females in Karachi, Pakistan.
- Low serum ferritin and other iron status indicators suggest widespread iron deficiency, potentially compounded by folate deficiency.
- Urgent interventions are required for the diagnosis and eradication of IDA in this vulnerable population and other developing countries.
Abstract:
The prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia in Karachi, Pakistan, was examined in a group of 100 children, aged 2 to 6 years, and 200 adult females, aged 17 to 35 years. Anaemia, defined as a haemoglobin level less than 11.5 g/dl, was present in 47% of the children and 30% of the adult females. The majority of subjects had normal red cell counts and MCV, but haematocrit and MCH were below normal in one-quarter of the children and one-third of the adult females. More than half of both children and adult females had serum ferritin levels below normal. Many also had elevated iron binding capacity and reduced serum iron levels. Iron deficiency may be superimposed on folate deficiency in this population. The potentially serious consequences and higher prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia in children and women of childbearing age demand greater efforts toward diagnosis and eradication in developing countries.