Iron deficiency anaemia

Question 1

Symptoms

Answer 1

psychological changes
depression
irritability
loss of appetite
apathy
evidence of impaired learning and cognition
slow growth rate
paleness

Question 2

Reason - too little iron: low iron intake

Answer 2

prolonged breast feeding
feeding with unmodified cow's milk
feeding diet low in iron
vegetarian with low haem iron content
poor appetite, vomiting

Question 3

Reason - abnormal iron losses

Answer 3

overt bleeding

blood loss from GIT i.e. from crohn’s, reflux, cow’s milk protein allergy

Question 4

Reason - failure to absorb iron

Answer 4

lack of vitamin C so iron in ferric form
non-ahem iron sources
high levels of phytates in diet
absorption reduced in febrile illness
gluten-sensitivity so abnormalities in GI tract

Question 5

Reason - failure to utilise

Answer 5

fever
chronic disease
deficiency of Vit A, riboflavin, copper

Question 6

Reason - increased requirements

Answer 6

catch up in LBW infants

catch up after severe malnutrition

Question 7

Lead poisoning

Answer 7

Iron deficiency weakens body’s defence against lead poisoning and lead poisoning can cause iron deficiency. The anaemia bought on by lead poisoning same symptoms - diarrhoea, irritability, fatigue but also learning difficulties, behavioural problems, nerve damage, paralysis, mental retardation or death.
More lead absorbed if stomach empty or if low in iron, calcium since, vit C and vit D.
One in 10 children have high blood levels in UK.