fbpx

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Iron Deficiency Anemia

Updated : December 13, 2022





Background

Hemoglobin levels below the average or normal level for the patient’s age and gender are considered anemic. An essential part of the hemoglobin molecule is iron. Iron deficiency causes microcytic and hypochromic red cells on the peripheral smear, the most frequent cause of anemia globally. Age, gender, and socioeconomic status affect the etiology of iron deficiency differently.

The patient frequently complains of generalized symptoms, including fatigue and dyspnea increased with effort. Reversing the underlying condition and consuming iron supplements are the two treatment methods.

Iron supplementation is often taken orally, although intravenous iron may be necessary for some circumstances. Prolonged hospital stays and more adverse outcomes have been observed in patients with iron-deficient anemia.

Epidemiology

Anemia affects about 25% of the world’s population. 50% of anemias are caused by iron deficiency, the most prevalent factor. In contrast to the United States, where 1% of males under 50 have iron deficiency anemia, iron deficiency is more significant in developing nations.  In American women of reproductive age, the rate is 10%, primarily to losses from menstruation.

In contrast, iron deficiency affects 9% of children between the ages of 12 and 36 months, and one-third of these children develop anemia. Despite the low prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in the US, low-income families are disproportionately at risk.

Anatomy

Pathophysiology

Iron deficiency will result in microcytic hypochromic anemia on the peripheral blood smear. Iron deficiency anemia is when the body lacks healthy red blood cells due to a lack of iron. Iron is essential for the body to make healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body. When the body does not have enough iron, it cannot produce enough hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body’s tissues.

Without enough oxygen-rich red blood cells, the body’s organs and tissues do not get enough oxygen to function correctly, leading to symptoms of anemia. The cause of iron deficiency anemia is usually a lack of dietary iron, blood loss, or an inability to absorb enough iron from the diet. Gingival occult bleeding may result in iron deficiency anemia.

Gastrointestinal bleeding and iron deficiency anemia in adults over 50 must be examined for malignancy. However, in one-third of the individuals evaluated, the gastrointestinal diagnostic assessment failed to identify a reason. In some cases, iron deficiency anemia can be caused by other medical conditions, such as celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease.

Iron deficiency anemia can also be caused by pregnancy, menstruation, or an increased need for iron due to rapid growth in children or teenagers. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests supplementing for iron deficiency since it is the most prevalent single nutritional deficit. The child’s age and nutrition will determine when to initiate a supplement regimen and the appropriate dosage.

Etiology

Based on factors including age, sex, and socioeconomic status, the etiology of iron deficiency anemia varies. Insufficient iron consumption, poor absorption, or blood loss can all lead to an iron shortage. Blood loss is the primary cause of iron deficiency anemia, especially in older adults.

Insufficient food intake, elevated systemic iron requirements, such as during pregnancy, and reduced iron absorption, such as in celiac disease, can also cause it. Due to the increased bioavailability of iron in breast milk compared to cow’s milk, breastfeeding protects newborns against iron deficiency.

Genetics

Prognostic Factors

The majority of patients have good short-term prognoses. However, the prognosis is poor if the underlying condition is not addressed. Death from an underlying lung or heart condition can result from chronic iron deficiency.

Clinical History

Physical Examination

Age group

Associated comorbidity

Associated activity

Acuity of presentation

Differential Diagnoses

Laboratory Studies

Imaging Studies

Procedures

Histologic Findings

Staging

Treatment Paradigm

by Stage

by Modality

Chemotherapy

Radiation Therapy

Surgical Interventions

Hormone Therapy

Immunotherapy

Hyperthermia

Photodynamic Therapy

Stem Cell Transplant

Targeted Therapy

Palliative Care

Medication

 

ferrous gluconate 

Prophylactic measure:60mg elemental iron every day
Treatment: 60mg elemental iron every 6-12 hours

Mineral/vitamin supplementation
Initial dose:48 to 144mg/day orally ferrous gluconate,1 to 3 times daily

Daily intake recommendation
Women: 18mg of elemental iron orally every day
Lactating women: 9mg elemental iron orally every day
Pregnant women: 27mg of elemental iron orally every day
Men: 8mg elemental iron orally every day



ferrous fumarate 

360 mg orally daily (120 mg/day Fe) for 3 months 



carbonyl iron 

Take a dose of 50 mg orally three times daily
Prophylaxis of Iron Deficiency
Take daily dose of 300 mg orally



iron dextran complex 

Administer dose of 25 to 100 mg intravenously
Not more than 100 mg/day



ferric ammonium citrate 

400 mg/5 ml given orally for premature infants. FAC mixture is usually given for 3 to 4 months after the discharge



tetraferric tricitrate decahydrate 

with CKD not on dialysis
:

Initial dose: 210 mg (i.e., 1 tablet) orally 3 times a day with meals
Titrate when required to attain and maintain target haemoglobin levels
should not exceed more than 12 tablets a day
The average dosage in the clinical study was 5 tablets a day



 

ferrous gluconate 

Prophylactic measure:1-2mg elemental iron/kg/day orally. Do not exceed 15mg/day
Treatment: 3-6mg elemental iron/kg/day orally

Daily intake recommendation
0-6 months:0.27mg elemental iron orally every day
7-12 months: 11mg elemental iron orally every day
1-3 years: 7mg elemental iron orally every day
4-8 years: 10mg elemental iron orally every day
9-1 years: 8mg elemental iron orally every day
14-18 years: 15 mg elemental iron orally every day (females)
11mg elemental iron orally every day (males)



ferrous fumarate 

3-6 mg /kg orally every Day 

Prophylaxis, Iron-deficiency Anemia 
1-2 mg/kg/day orally every Day 
The maximum dose recommended a day is ≤15 mg 



ferrous fumarate 

3-6 mg /kg orally every Day 

Prophylaxis, Iron-deficiency Anemia 
1-2 mg/kg/day orally every Day 
The maximum dose recommended a day is ≤15 mg 



carbonyl iron 

Severe Iron Deficiency Anemia
Take a dose of 4 to 6 mg/kg orally divided every 8 hour
Mild to Moderate Iron Deficiency Anemia
Take daily dose of 3 mg/kg orally
Prophylaxis
Take a dose of 1 to 2 mg/kg orally and it should not be more than 15 mg orally



iron dextran complex 

For >15 kg:
0.0442(Desired Hemoglobin - Observed Hemoglobin) x Lean body weight(kg) + (0.26 × Lean body weight)
For 5 to 15 kg:
Not used in starting four months of life
Dose = 0.0442(Desired Hemoglobin - Observed Hemoglobin) x body weight(kg) + (0.26 × body weight)



 

Media Gallary

References

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448065/

ADVERTISEMENT 

Iron Deficiency Anemia

Updated : December 13, 2022




Hemoglobin levels below the average or normal level for the patient’s age and gender are considered anemic. An essential part of the hemoglobin molecule is iron. Iron deficiency causes microcytic and hypochromic red cells on the peripheral smear, the most frequent cause of anemia globally. Age, gender, and socioeconomic status affect the etiology of iron deficiency differently.

The patient frequently complains of generalized symptoms, including fatigue and dyspnea increased with effort. Reversing the underlying condition and consuming iron supplements are the two treatment methods.

Iron supplementation is often taken orally, although intravenous iron may be necessary for some circumstances. Prolonged hospital stays and more adverse outcomes have been observed in patients with iron-deficient anemia.

Anemia affects about 25% of the world’s population. 50% of anemias are caused by iron deficiency, the most prevalent factor. In contrast to the United States, where 1% of males under 50 have iron deficiency anemia, iron deficiency is more significant in developing nations.  In American women of reproductive age, the rate is 10%, primarily to losses from menstruation.

In contrast, iron deficiency affects 9% of children between the ages of 12 and 36 months, and one-third of these children develop anemia. Despite the low prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in the US, low-income families are disproportionately at risk.

Iron deficiency will result in microcytic hypochromic anemia on the peripheral blood smear. Iron deficiency anemia is when the body lacks healthy red blood cells due to a lack of iron. Iron is essential for the body to make healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body. When the body does not have enough iron, it cannot produce enough hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body’s tissues.

Without enough oxygen-rich red blood cells, the body’s organs and tissues do not get enough oxygen to function correctly, leading to symptoms of anemia. The cause of iron deficiency anemia is usually a lack of dietary iron, blood loss, or an inability to absorb enough iron from the diet. Gingival occult bleeding may result in iron deficiency anemia.

Gastrointestinal bleeding and iron deficiency anemia in adults over 50 must be examined for malignancy. However, in one-third of the individuals evaluated, the gastrointestinal diagnostic assessment failed to identify a reason. In some cases, iron deficiency anemia can be caused by other medical conditions, such as celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease.

Iron deficiency anemia can also be caused by pregnancy, menstruation, or an increased need for iron due to rapid growth in children or teenagers. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests supplementing for iron deficiency since it is the most prevalent single nutritional deficit. The child’s age and nutrition will determine when to initiate a supplement regimen and the appropriate dosage.

Based on factors including age, sex, and socioeconomic status, the etiology of iron deficiency anemia varies. Insufficient iron consumption, poor absorption, or blood loss can all lead to an iron shortage. Blood loss is the primary cause of iron deficiency anemia, especially in older adults.

Insufficient food intake, elevated systemic iron requirements, such as during pregnancy, and reduced iron absorption, such as in celiac disease, can also cause it. Due to the increased bioavailability of iron in breast milk compared to cow’s milk, breastfeeding protects newborns against iron deficiency.

The majority of patients have good short-term prognoses. However, the prognosis is poor if the underlying condition is not addressed. Death from an underlying lung or heart condition can result from chronic iron deficiency.

ferrous gluconate 

Prophylactic measure:60mg elemental iron every day
Treatment: 60mg elemental iron every 6-12 hours

Mineral/vitamin supplementation
Initial dose:48 to 144mg/day orally ferrous gluconate,1 to 3 times daily

Daily intake recommendation
Women: 18mg of elemental iron orally every day
Lactating women: 9mg elemental iron orally every day
Pregnant women: 27mg of elemental iron orally every day
Men: 8mg elemental iron orally every day



ferrous fumarate 

360 mg orally daily (120 mg/day Fe) for 3 months 



carbonyl iron 

Take a dose of 50 mg orally three times daily
Prophylaxis of Iron Deficiency
Take daily dose of 300 mg orally



iron dextran complex 

Administer dose of 25 to 100 mg intravenously
Not more than 100 mg/day



ferric ammonium citrate 

400 mg/5 ml given orally for premature infants. FAC mixture is usually given for 3 to 4 months after the discharge



tetraferric tricitrate decahydrate 

with CKD not on dialysis
:

Initial dose: 210 mg (i.e., 1 tablet) orally 3 times a day with meals
Titrate when required to attain and maintain target haemoglobin levels
should not exceed more than 12 tablets a day
The average dosage in the clinical study was 5 tablets a day



ferrous gluconate 

Prophylactic measure:1-2mg elemental iron/kg/day orally. Do not exceed 15mg/day
Treatment: 3-6mg elemental iron/kg/day orally

Daily intake recommendation
0-6 months:0.27mg elemental iron orally every day
7-12 months: 11mg elemental iron orally every day
1-3 years: 7mg elemental iron orally every day
4-8 years: 10mg elemental iron orally every day
9-1 years: 8mg elemental iron orally every day
14-18 years: 15 mg elemental iron orally every day (females)
11mg elemental iron orally every day (males)



ferrous fumarate 

3-6 mg /kg orally every Day 

Prophylaxis, Iron-deficiency Anemia 
1-2 mg/kg/day orally every Day 
The maximum dose recommended a day is ≤15 mg 



ferrous fumarate 

3-6 mg /kg orally every Day 

Prophylaxis, Iron-deficiency Anemia 
1-2 mg/kg/day orally every Day 
The maximum dose recommended a day is ≤15 mg 



carbonyl iron 

Severe Iron Deficiency Anemia
Take a dose of 4 to 6 mg/kg orally divided every 8 hour
Mild to Moderate Iron Deficiency Anemia
Take daily dose of 3 mg/kg orally
Prophylaxis
Take a dose of 1 to 2 mg/kg orally and it should not be more than 15 mg orally



iron dextran complex 

For >15 kg:
0.0442(Desired Hemoglobin - Observed Hemoglobin) x Lean body weight(kg) + (0.26 × Lean body weight)
For 5 to 15 kg:
Not used in starting four months of life
Dose = 0.0442(Desired Hemoglobin - Observed Hemoglobin) x body weight(kg) + (0.26 × body weight)



www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448065/

Free CME credits

Both our subscription plans include Free CME/CPD AMA PRA Category 1 credits.

Digital Certificate PDF

On course completion, you will receive a full-sized presentation quality digital certificate.

medtigo Simulation

A dynamic medical simulation platform designed to train healthcare professionals and students to effectively run code situations through an immersive hands-on experience in a live, interactive 3D environment.

medtigo Points

medtigo points is our unique point redemption system created to award users for interacting on our site. These points can be redeemed for special discounts on the medtigo marketplace as well as towards the membership cost itself.
 
  • Registration with medtigo = 10 points
  • 1 visit to medtigo’s website = 1 point
  • Interacting with medtigo posts (through comments/clinical cases etc.) = 5 points
  • Attempting a game = 1 point
  • Community Forum post/reply = 5 points

    *Redemption of points can occur only through the medtigo marketplace, courses, or simulation system. Money will not be credited to your bank account. 10 points = $1.

All Your Certificates in One Place

When you have your licenses, certificates and CMEs in one place, it's easier to track your career growth. You can easily share these with hospitals as well, using your medtigo app.

Our Certificate Courses