Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0162316 (iron deficiency anemia)
 3,806 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Over 85% of Mongolia's foreign trade and development aid, which formerly came from the USSR, have abruptly ceased causing shortfalls in almost all sectors. The UNICEF Mongolia Country Program and the East Asia and Pacific Regional Office (UNICEF/EAPRO) realized that Mongolian children are likely to suffer the most as reduced income and food availability aggravate problems associated with malnutrition. Hence, from 16 June-7 July 1992, a team from the Institute of Nutrition at Mahidol University, Thailand, collaborated with local UNICEF personnel and government health officials in designing and initiating the 1992 Mongolian Child Nutrition Survey. This paper presents the preliminary survey data of 342 randomly selected children aged 0-48 months in Ulaanbaatar. Results indicate that the four major health and nutrition problems are protein energy malnutrition (PEM), iodine deficiency disorders, vitamin D deficiency, and an unusually high rate of acute respiratory infections. Also requiring more in-depth study are low birth weight, iron deficiency anemia and vitamin A deficiency.
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PMID:Child health and nutritional status in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia: a preliminary assessment. 134 50

Iron deficiency and vitamin A deficiency are both reported to predispose to infection morbidity and to mortality. In both situations, however, the data are insufficient to draw firm conclusions, primarily owing to flaws in the design of the studies. To be sure, these are difficult studies to carry out, and the investigators whose reports have been reviewed should be praised rather than adversely criticized for their efforts. In the case of iron deficiency, there is a further complication in interpretation, that is the suggestion that iron deficiency states may be protective and that conditions of iron overload may predispose to infection. These concepts appear to pertain most convincingly to malaria and Yersinia infections, and to situations in which iron dextran is given parenterally to young children in the first few months of life. There are still two few data to suggest that oral iron is harmful and there is no reason at present that it should not be employed for the correction of iron deficiency anemia.
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PMID:Micronutrients and susceptibility to infection. 219 69

Micronutrient malnutrition, particularly vitamin A deficiency (VAD), iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) and iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), poses a serious threat to the health of vulnerable segments of population. Dietary Inadequacy is the primary cause of VAD and IDA, while poor iodine content of soil and water due to environmental iodine deficiency is the main determinant of IDD. Three major intervention strategies are available for the control of micronutrient malnutrition: supplementation of the specific micronutrients; fortification of foods with micronutrients; and horticulture intervention to increase production and nutrition education to ensure regular consumption of micronutrient rich foods. In India currently the national nutrition programmes being implemented for preventing these deficiencies are based on short term supplementation like periodic mega dosing of vitamin A, distribution of iron and folic acid tablets, and salt iodisation. Though these have been in operation for over two decades, there has been no perceptible biological impact on the prevalence of micronutrient malnutrition. Among the constraints, the most important are: lack of coordination, shortage of resources and manpower, inadequate and irregular supplies, lack of proper orientation and training to the functionaries, poor monitoring and supervision and absence of nutrition education. Integrated and multi-sectoral approaches are required to achieve the goals set under the National Nutrition Policy. These should include community-friendly nutrition education to increase awareness and motivation; active people's participation; food fortification; nutrient supplementation; nutrition oriented horticulture programmes; orientation of functionaries, and establishment of integrated micronutrient surveillance. Concerted and focussed efforts are needed to combat micronutrient malnutrition by the 2000 AD.
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PMID:Strategies for control of micronutrient malnutrition. 867 41

Administration of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) to patients with intestinal failure requires attention to caloric content of feeds, fluid, electrolyte balance, and micronutrient status. Peripheral blood estimations of vitamins and trace elements may be abnormal, but their clinical significance in relation to deficiency or toxicity states is not always clear. We sought to determine the incidence and nature of clinical micronutrient abnormality in our HPN program. Clinical assessment and case record review of 49 patients actively receiving HPN was undertaken, and, in 32 of these patients, serum micronutrient levels were assayed. Clinical evidence of micronutrient deficiency was identified in 16 patients (33%). Iron deficiency anemia occurred in 14 patients which resolved after iron supplementation in all except 1 patient who had persistent intestinal blood loss. Anemia was precipitated in six patients by identifiable clinical events (acute gastrointestinal disease in five and menorrhagia in one), and in two others folate deficiency coexisted. Biotin deficiency developed in three patients, manifested by dry eyes and angular cheilitis or hair loss. Vitamin A deficiency resulting in visual disturbance developed in one patient who was not receiving multivitamin supplements at that time. Serum levels of zinc, copper, selenium, manganese, vitamin A, and vitamin E were measured in 32 patients. No patient had normal levels of all six micronutrients. Nevertheless, there was no clinical evidence of toxicity or deficiency in any of these patients at the time assays were performed. In conclusion, abnormalities of micronutrient status are common in HPN patients, but serious sequelae appear to be unusual.
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PMID:Micronutrient status in patients receiving home parenteral nutrition. 943 16

The existence of 'fat-soluble A' has been known for over 80 years. But until recently clinicians were almost wholly absorbed by the ocular changes accompanying deficiency (xerophthalmia), and scientists with the vitamin's metabolic role in the rhodopsin cycle. The past two decades have witnessed a revolution in clinical and scientific concerns. Xerophthalmia is now recognized as a late manifestation of severe deficiency rather than of early, mild deficiency; as the mechanism responsible for half or more of all measles-associated blindness; and as the cause of half a million or more cases of pediatric blindness worldwide. Milder deficiency increases the severity of infectious morbidity, exacerbates iron deficiency anemia, retards growth, and is responsible for one to three million childhood deaths each year. Scientists are now busy unraveling vitamin A-dependent gene regulation to explain the myriad manifestations accompanying deficiency, while clinicians are designing and supervising programs to improve vitamin A status in over 60 countries, up from only three countries two decades ago. Control of vitamin A deficiency is now a major health challenge and goal of both UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO). Reaching that goal requires better parameters for assessing vitamin A status, increased understanding of metabolic pathways responsible for corneal dissolution (keratomalacia) and the molecular and cellular basis by which vitamin A status mediates resistance to infection. These issues are detailed elsewhere (Sommer and West, 1996).
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PMID:Xerophthalmia and vitamin A status. 953 97

In 1996, the Honduran Ministry of Health conducted a national micronutrient survey of children 12-71 months old, which also included an assessment of the nutrition status of their mothers/caretakers. The 1,126 mothers/caretakers who participated in the survey tended to be short and plump. About 15% of them were at obstetric risk by virtue of their short stature and/or low body weight. About 9% had chronic energy deficiency (CED), but 27% were at least 20% overweight. CED was associated with socioeconomic indicators of poverty. Risk factors for being at least 20% overweight included being over 30 years old, not breast-feeding, having attended no higher than grade 4, 5, or 6 of primary school, coming from a wealthier household, and living in San Pedro Sula or medium-sized cities. Among the women surveyed, 26% of nonpregnant and 32% of pregnant mothers/caretakers were anemic. The likely principal cause of anemia was the low intake of bioavailable iron from food and, in some cases, excessive iron loss associated with intestinal parasites, especially hookworm. Only 50% of the mothers/caretakers participating in this study had received iron during their last pregnancy, and just 13% had received postpartum vitamin A. The results highlight the need to develop and implement an effective program to control iron deficiency anemia in women of reproductive age, including by fortifying such widely consumed foods as processed wheat and maize flour and by routinely administering iron supplements to high-risk groups. Postpartum vitamin A supplementation should be encouraged to protect both the mother and newborn infant against vitamin A deficiency.
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PMID:Nutrition of Honduran mothers/caretakers. 1035 14

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) have been recognized as public health problems in Honduras for over 30 years. This paper, based on the 1996 National Micronutrient Survey on 1678 children 12-71 months of age, presents the results for vitamin A status and anemia prevalence, as well as the level of vitamin A in sugar at the household level. The results showed that 14% of the children were subclinically vitamin A deficient (plasma retinol < 20 micrograms/dL) and 32% were at risk of VAD (plasma retinol 20-30 micrograms/dL). These data indicate that VAD is a moderate public health problem in Honduras. Logistic regression analysis showed that children 12-23 months old living in areas other than the rural south of the country were at greatest risk of subclinical VAD. Infection, indicated by an elevated alpha-1-acid-glycoprotein level, increased the risk of subclinical VAD more than three-fold. Children from households that obtained water from a river, stream, or lake were at twice the risk of subclinical VAD compared with other children. That same doubled risk was found for children from a household with an outside toilet. VAD can be controlled by fortifying sugar. Retinol levels in sugar at the household level were about 50% of those mandated by Honduran law. There appears to be significant leakage of unfortified sugar into the market. This is particularly true in the rural north, where 33% of samples contained no retinol. Overall, 30% of children were anemic (Hb < 11 g/dL). Logistic regression analysis showed that children whose fathers lived with them but who had not attended at least grade 4 of primary school were at 33% greater risk of being anemic. Infection and being underweight increased the risk of being anemic by 51% and 21%, respectively. Many of the anemic children had not been given iron supplements, suggesting health care providers may not be aware that anemia is widespread among young children and/or know how to diagnose it.
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PMID:Vitamin A deficiency and anemia among children 12-71 months old in Honduras. 1044 13

Micronutrient deficiency is a serious public health concern in most of the developing countries which leads to malnutrition syndromes. The micronutient deficiencies which are of greatest public health significance include iron deficiency, vitamin A deficiency and iodine deficiency disorder. National Pilot Programme on Control of Micronutrient Malnutrition was launched in 1995 and the department of biochemistry and nutrition of the All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Calcutta was entrusted to co-ordinate the activities. It presently covers five eastern and north-eastern states. Baseline situation analysis was conducted mainly on iron deficiency anaemia, iodine deficiency disorder and vitamin A deficiency. Comparing with WHO cut off figures, point prevalence of anaemia in various age groups was found to be high. Bitot's spot was mainly noted in the age group of 6-71 months. Nightblindness was found in the children of the age group of 24-71 months. High prevalence of nightblindness in pregnant women is a point of concern. Action needed to control micronutrient deficiency includes: Intervention strategies, extensive nutrition and health education, to support the problem specific programmes, to stregthen various state government programmes and strengthen role of NGOs.
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PMID:Micronutrient malnutrition--present status and future remedies. 1129 87

Despite advances in scientific knowledge regarding multiple etiology, treatment, and potential strategies for combating iron deficiency and deficiencies of other micronutrients, iron deficiency anemia, vitamin A deficiency, and iodine deficiency remain significant public health challenges for growing children and adolescents. The short-term efficient supplementation approach, although technically feasible, has not been successful due to problems with delivery and compliance. Evidence is building that preventive supplementation coupled with nutrition education may be a more effective strategy associated with better compliance and improvement in iron status. Long-term, effective approaches include fortification, dietary modification, public health and disease control measures, and income generation programs. Food fortification can be a cost-effective intervention strategy if technologically feasible, nutritionally sound, culturally acceptable and economically viable food vehicle(s) and fortificant(s) can be identifed. Foods such as wheat, rice, and salt are commonly consumed in India; research is underway to evaluate various fortificants for these foods. Doubly fortified salt with iodine and iron may be particularly promising in the Indian situation as it is affordable, culturally acceptable, and may enhance iron absorption from Indian dietaries containing inhibitors of iron absorption. Feasibility studies are underway to evalute the stability and storage issues as well as bioavailability of fortificant iron. Dietary modification involves increased iron intake, by increasing total food intake and consumption of locally available iron-rich foods, and dietary practices favoring iron absorption. Blood loss associated with worm infestation can be controlled by periodic deworming and reducing reinfestation. Coordinating these major intervention approaches by building partnerships between the community, existing nutrition and health programs, government, industry, and academic institutions is critical for success of these programs. Nutrition education must be integral to all of these strategies discusssed. Primary health care system and school infrastructure and staff, along with school children and community members, can be powerful resources for addressing malnutrition in children and adolescents.
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PMID:Intervention strategies for improving iron status of young children and adolescents in India. 1203 48

Micronutrient deficiency is a serious public health concern in most developing countries. In India, iron deficiency, vitamin A deficiency, and iodine deficiency disorder are of greatest public health significance. In addition, subclinical zinc deficiency, flourosis, and fluoride-deficient dental caries are important areas of concern. The National Pilot Program on Control of Micronutrient Malnutrition was launched in 1995 to address these problems and the Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition of the All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health (Calcutta) was entrusted to coordinate its activities. The program presently covers one northeastern and four eastern states, namely Assam, Bihar (Jharkhand), Orissa, West Bengal, and Tripura. Baseline analyses were conducted on demographic situation, food and nutrient intake pattern, nutritional deficiency diseases (e.g., iron deficiency anemia), iodine deficiency disorder, and vitamin A deficiency. It was observed that except for cereals, the diet was deficient in all other food groups. Nutrient intake (i.e., energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals) was also deficient in almost the entire state. Anthropometric indices (e.g., weight-for-age and height-for-age data) indicated that large percentages of <5-year-old and 6-14-year-old children were in grade II or III malnutrition. Mean dietary zinc intakes in all the surveyed districts were much lower than the RDA. Large percentages of salt samples had iodine levels less than 15 ppm. The point prevalence of anemia in various age groups was found to be high. Bitot's spot was mainly noted in the age group of 6-71 months. Nightblindness was noted in young children as well as the children 24-71 months old. High prevalence of nightblindness in pregnant women is a point of concern. Actions needed to control micronutrient deficiencies include: intervention strategies, extensive nutrition and health education through innovative IEC materials to support problem-specific programs, strengthening of various state government programs and the role of NGOs.
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PMID:Prevalence of micronutrient deficiency based on results obtained from the national pilot program on control of micronutrient malnutrition. 1203 59


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