Question

Case Scenario: A 16-year-old female presents at the clinic with extreme fatigue and shortness of breath while playing volleyball. She has been in good health until about six months ago. During these six months, she has had several colds and flu events where she was unable to do normal activities. Her mother reports she spends a great deal of time sleeping, sometimes twelve hours, and complains of fatigue when she awakens. She is pale and appears to have little energy. The doctor suspects iron deficiency anemia (IDA).

1. Question: What population is most at risk for (IDA) and why? Include in your answer specific facts, data, examples, and other information drawn from your textbook and at least one other supplemental source.

Case Scenario: A 75-year-old man in long term care. He has been bedbound for longer than six months. His history shows he has cardiac and circulatory problems, exacerbated by his lack of activity.

2. Question: What is the biggest problem someone with these issues faces? Include in your answer specific facts, data, examples, and other information drawn from your textbook and at least one other supplemental source.

Answer 1

(1) Iron is an important component of hemoglobin of red blood cells. Hemoglobin plays an important role in transporting oxygen to different body tissues. Body will not be able to make enough hemoglobin in the absence of iron.

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common form of anemia that occurs as a result of deficiency of the mineral iron. IDA leads to lethargy, paleness of skin, and shortness of breath.

Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia worldwide. In developing countries, IDA has been attributed to lack of nutrition. While in developed countries, the primary reason for IDA include blood loss, gastrointestinal bleeding, peptic ulcer disease, etc.

Females and children are considered to be the risk population for IDA. Reasons for deficiency experienced in children include lack of nutritional diet along with high demand of iron during growing stages. Women, especially who are at reproductive age are considered to be the high risk population of IDA. They are more susceptible due to blood loss during menstruation, poor diet, and pregnancy (supplying nutrition to the growing fetus).

Some facts about IDA

• Anemia can lead to extreme fatigue due to lack of oxygen supply as a result of dysfunctional hemoglobin. This can lead to hypoxia, shortness of breath, dizziness, pale skin (due to lack of blood supply), etc. This is why in the case mentioned, the girl was feeling tired and appeared pale.
• Mild anemia is often undiagnosed due to the absence of any visible symptoms.
• Anemia is common in developing countries. Studies show that about 25% (2 billion people) of world population is affected by IDA. Malnutrition is more widespread in these regions, hence the case.
• In underdeveloped countries, anemia is more prevalent among children (more than 50%). Studies indicate that about 40% to 50% of the population in these regions suffer from IDA at all ages (except adult non-elderly males).
• In the United States, only about 6% of the population suffers from IDA. The frequency of the disease varies in different age groups, sex, and race. For example, women, African Americans, and Latino Americans are more likely to develop this condition than the others.
• The demand for iron is greatest among menstruating and pregnant women. Deficiency of iron during pregnancy not only affect the woman but also the child. The child may suffer from brain and cognitive defects as a result of this and the mother may suffer from depression. For example,

(1) A woman who has delivered a baby presenting with symptoms of extreme fatigue, lack of energy, paleness, sadness, lack of interest, and depressive episodes may be due to IDA she suffered throughout her pregnancy.

(2) Progressive fatigue, episodes of headaches, unconsciousness, and lack of energy seen in a 15 year old can be mainly due to IDA.

• Lack of nutritional diet can result in malnourishment and comorbidity. In addition to this, due to diseases like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, bacterial infections of bowel (Helicobacter), or due to the lack of other nutrients like Vitamin C can cause malabsorption of iron even if there is adequate supply. This is another cause of IDA.
• IDA is considered to be the most common form of nutritional deficiency disease worldwide.