Who Is At Risk for Iron-Deficiency Anemia?
Infants and young children, women, and adults who
have internal bleeding are at highest risk for iron-deficiency anemia.
Infants and Young Children
Infants and young children need a lot of iron to
grow and develop. The iron that full-term infants have stored in their bodies
is used up in the first 4 to 6 months of life.
Premature and low-birth-weight babies are at even
greater risk for iron-deficiency anemia. These babies dont have as much
iron stored in their bodies as other babies do.
Iron-fortified foods for babies or iron supplements,
when used properly, can help prevent iron-deficiency anemia in infants and
young children. Talk to your child's doctor about your child's diet.
Young children who drink large amounts of cow's milk
may be at risk for iron-deficiency anemia. Milk is low in iron, and too much
milk may take the place of iron-rich foods in the diet. Too much milk also may
prevent childrens bodies from absorbing iron from other foods.
Children who have lead in their blood also may be at
risk for iron-deficiency anemia. Lead can interfere with the bodys
ability to make hemoglobin. Lead may get into the body from breathing in lead
dust, eating lead in paint or soil, or drinking water that contains lead.
Women
Women of childbearing age are at increased risk for
iron-deficiency anemia because of blood loss during their monthly periods.
About 1 in 5 women of childbearing age has iron-deficiency anemia.
Pregnant women also are at higher risk for the
condition because they need twice as much iron as usual. The extra iron is
needed for increased blood volume and for the fetus' growth.
About half of all pregnant women develop
iron-deficiency anemia. The condition can increase a pregnant woman's risk for
a premature or low-birth-weight baby.
Adults Who Have Internal Bleeding
Adults who have internal bleeding, such as
intestinal bleeding, can develop iron-deficiency anemia due to blood loss.
Certain conditions, such as colon cancer and bleeding ulcers, can cause blood
loss. Certain medicines, such as aspirin, also can cause internal bleeding.
Other At-Risk Groups
People who get kidney dialysis treatment may develop
iron-deficiency anemia. This is because blood is lost during dialysis. Also,
the kidneys are no longer able to make enough of a hormone needed to make red
blood cells.
Certain eating patterns or habits can put you at
higher risk for iron-deficiency anemia. This can happen if you:
- Follow a diet that excludes meat and fish, which
are the best sources of iron. However, vegetarian diets can provide enough iron
if the right foods are eaten. For example, good nonmeat sources of iron include
spinach and other dark green leafy vegetables, certain types of beans, dried
fruits, and iron-fortified breads and cereals.
- Eat poorly due to money, social, health, or other
problems.
- Follow a very low-fat diet over a long period.
Some higher fat foods, like meat, are some of the best sources of iron.
- Follow a high-fiber diet. Large amounts of fiber
can slow the absorption of iron.
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