Anemia is one of the commonest illness found in both adult and children .
Most common anemia in children is Iron deficiency anemia and more than 1/3rd of world population is affected by Iron deficiency anemia.
What is Anemia?
Anemia is defined by reduction in Hb Concentration, Hct Concentration or RBC count
• WHO criteria is Hb < 13 g/dl in men and Hb < 12 g/dl in women
• UK : Hb<13.5 g/dl or Hct<41% (M)
Hb<12 g/dl or Hct<37% (F)
• Pregnancy
11/10.5/10g/dl
Iron rich foods
High iron sources
• Iron fortified cereals and other foods
• Organ meat like liver and kidney
• Shell fish
• Prune juice
Moderate iron sources
• All bran cereal
• Dried beans and peas
• Beef, lamb, chicken
• Dried peaches, prunes
• Peanuts, nuts, sun flower seeds (not recommended <3 yrs because of risk of choking)
• Raisins
• Green leafy vegetables
Preventive Measures
• Ensure iron rich food in the diet
• Mixing heme and nonheme source – increases absorption of non heme iron
• Give vitamin C rich foods along with iron rich food
• Try to avoid iron inhibitors along with iron rich foods
• The phytates can be significantly reduced in beans by soaking them overnight in warm water and discarding the water before cooking them.
• Avoid drinking tea within 2 hours of a meal
• Avoid taking iron rich food along with milk or calcium supplements
• Avoid cow’s milk before 1 year of age
• Restrict unmodified cow’s milk to less than 600ml/day for children above one year
• Follow the guidelines
CDC Guidelines for Prevention
• For girls ages 12-18 years and non pregnant women of childbearing age : Screen every 5 years Screen every 1 year if risk factors
• Pregnancy : Low dose (30 mg/d)at first prenatal visit
Screening for ID at first visit
• Men and postmenopausal women: No routine screening IDA : complete evaluation
Dr. Anil Grover,
MBBS,MD
Specialist Internal Medicine
Appointments Call : 971 4 406 3000