Iron deficiency anemia Flashcards
What does anemia result from?
Anemia results from dietary deficiency, loss of iron through bleeding, or increased demands.
Iron:
because iron is a component of heme, a deficiency leads to decreased hemoglobin synthesis and consequent impairment of oxygen.
Pathology: Irons role
Body iron is used for multiple mechanisms every day. When red cells become old and are broken down, their iron is released and reused in the production of new red cells. Despite this efficiency, small amounts of iron are lost in the feces and need to be replaced by dietary uptake. The absorbed iron is more than sufficient to supply the needs of most people but may be barely adequate in toddlers, adolescents, and women of childbearing age.
Pathology: Where is most iron derived from?
Most iron is derived from meat, and when meat is not available, as for impoverished populations, or is not a dietary constituent, as for vegetarians, iron deficiency may occur.
Pathology? What is the usual reason for iron deficiency in adults in the Western world?
chronic blood loss because there is inadequate iron available for recycling.
Pathology: Men and postmenopausal women blood loss?
in men and postmenopausal women, blood loss may occur from gastrointestinal bleeding due to peptic ulcer, vascular lesions, intestinal polyps, hemorrhoids, or cancer.
Pathology: women of childbearing age
in women of childbearing age, iron demand is increased because of losses from menstruation. Additionally, in pregnant women, fetal development increases iron requirements for erythropoiesis (the production of red blood cells.)
Pathology: a child’s growth
A child’s growth places extra demands on the body. Blood volume increases, with a greater need for iron. Iron requirements are proportionally higher in infancy (3 to 24 months) than at any other age, although they are also increased in childhood and adolescence.
Pathology: In infancy what are the two main causes of iron deficiency anemia?
Low iron levels at birth because of maternal deficiency and a diet consisting mainly of cow’s milk, which is low in absorbable iron.
What are the manifestations of iron deficiency anemia related to?
impaired oxygen transport and lack of hemoglobin.
What clinical manifestations will you see in an individual with iron deficiency anemia?
-fatigability
-palpitations
-dyspnea
-angina
-tachycardia
-pica: craving for substances that lack nutritional value such as clay or ice.
-koilonychia: spoon-shaped deformity of the fingernails.
-smooth tongue
-sores in the corners of the mouth
-sometimes dysphagia
Diagnosis: what characterizes iron deficiency anemia?
Low hemoglobin and hematocrit, decreased iron stores, and low serum iron and ferritin.
Diagnosis: what other clinical manifestations are seen in iron deficiency anemia?
the red cells are decreased in number and are microcytic and hypochromic. Poikilocytosis (irregular shape) and anisocytosis (irregular size) are also present.
Diagnosis: what do the laboratory values indicate in an individual with iron deficiency anemia?
reduced MCHC and MCV.
When is prevention of iron deficiency a primary concern?
in infants and children.
-avoidance of cow’s milk, iron supplementation at 4 to 6 months of age in breastfed infants, and use of iron-fortified formulas and cereals are recommended for infants younger than 1 year of age.
-in the second year, a diet rich in iron-containing foods and use of iron-fortified vitamins will help prevent iron deficiency.
