• symptoms and signs

• laboratory findings

• about the disease

• prevention

• treatment

• prognosis

Symptoms and signs.  usual signs and symptoms associated with anemia (pallor, fatigue, weakness) plus symptoms specific to the iron deficiency, such as glossitis, cheilosis, koilonychia (spoon-shaped fingernails), and pica

Laboratory findings.  decreased RBCs, Hgb, and Hct on CBC; decreased mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular Hgb concentration; microcytosis; hypochromia on peripheral blood smear examination; Iron capacity studies may reveal decreased serum iron, serum ferritin, and iron ferritin; increased iron-binding capacity; bone marrow aspiration will show erythrocyte:granulocyte ratio 1:1 (normal, 1:3-1:5); lack of marrow iron; ringed sideroblastsdecreased RBCs, Hgb, and Hct on CBC; decreased mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular Hgb concentration; microcytosis; hypochromia on peripheral blood smear examination; Iron capacity studies may reveal decreased serum iron, serum ferritin, and iron ferritin; increased iron-binding capacity; bone marrow aspiration will show erythrocyte:granulocyte ratio 1:1 (normal, 1:3-1:5); lack of marrow iron; ringed sideroblasts

About the disease.  Iron deficiency anemia is a chronic anemia characterized by depleted iron stores and small, pale red blood cells lacking in hemoglobin. Iron deficiency anemia is usually caused by chronic blood loss or by an increased need for or decreased intake of iron. It is the most common of the anemias, with a high worldwide incidence. It occurs most often in women, children, and the elderly in underdeveloped countries. Some factor (e.g., chronic blood loss, a decrease in iron intake) leads to iron deficiency. This occurs in orderly steps. Initially, iron loss exceeds intake, and the iron stores in the bone marrow are used and depleted. A compensatory mechanism increases absorption of dietary iron but depletion continues, and insufficient iron is available for RBC formation. This leads to a decrease in Hgb production, microcytosis, and a decrease in oxygenation of the tissues. Iron deficiency anemia is a chronic anemia characterized by depleted iron stores and small, pale red blood cells lacking in hemoglobin.

Prevention.  correction of underlying cause (e.g., treatment of bleeding, increased dietary intake of iron); nutritional education

Treatments.  iron replacemnent taken orally or parenterally

Prognosis.  exhaustion, infection, and respiratory and cardiac complications are possible if the condition goes untreated