Anemia and Iron Deficiency in Developing Countries

Summary

Iron deficiency and anemia are major public health concerns throughout the world and are of special concern in many developing countries where the incidence and severity of anemia in certain populations is very high. Pregnant women, women of childbearing age, and young children are especially vulnerable to iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) because of increased iron needs during growth and pregnancy, and iron losses during menstruation and childbirth. The most commonly used indicator of IDA in many resource-poor settings is hemoglobin; however, since anemia can be caused by factors other than iron deficiency, it is recommended that measurement of hemoglobin be combined with a more specific measure of iron status such as ferritin to determine whether the anemia is due to iron deficiency. IDA, especially severe anemia (hemoglobin < 7 g/dl), can influence outcomes in both the mother and her child, including maternal mortality, birth weight, cognition in both the mother and her child, and infant development, among other outcomes. Strategies to improve iron status and reduce the burden of anemia include iron supplementation, staple food fortification, dietary diversification and modification, and public health measures, such as control and prevention of parasitic diseases, which can cause anemia. Although some anemia prevention strategies have proven successful, iron deficiency and anemia continue to impose a considerable public health burden on vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, women of childbearing age, and children. Further research and commitment by all stakeholders involved in public health are necessary to better understand how to prevent and control iron deficiency and anemia, especially in settings where anemia is widespread and very severe.