General Conclusions and Recommendations

Abstract

Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is a common nutrient deficiency in the UK and worldwide. Apart from the adverse manifestation of anaemia itself, there are particular concerns about the effects of iron deficiency anaemia on mental and psychomotor development in children, and in work performance in adults. The degree to which these concerns apply to less severe iron deficient states such as iron deficient erythropoiesis without anaemia or depletion of iron stores is unclear. Although there is a need to know more about the relationship between these iron deficient states and IDA, it seems prudent to reduce all states of iron depletion in society.