Iron deficiency: contemporary scientific issues and international programmatic approaches

• Published in: The Journal of nutrition Vol. 124; no. 8; pp. 1479S - 1490S
• Main Author: YIP, R
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD American Society for Nutritional Sciences 01.08.1994; American Institute of Nutrition
• Subjects: Adult; aetiology; anaemia; anemia; Anemia, Hypochromic - diet therapy; Anemia, Hypochromic - epidemiology; Anemia, Hypochromic - etiology; anemie; Biological and medical sciences; carence en oligoelement; Child, Preschool; control de enfermedades; controle de maladies; deficiencia de oligoelementos; Developing Countries; disease control; estado nutricional; etat nutritionnel; etiologia; etiologie; evaluacion; evaluation; exces de substance nutritive; exceso de nutrientes; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; fer; Food, Fortified; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Global Health; health; health services; Hemoglobins - analysis; hierro; human nutrition; Humans; Infant; Infant Food; Infant, Newborn; Iron; Iron - administration & dosage; Iron - therapeutic use; LDCs; Male; Malnutrition; mineral nutrients; nutricion humana; nutrient excesses; nutrientes minerales; nutrition humaine; Nutrition Surveys; nutritional status; paises en desarrollo; pays en developpement; Pregnancy; Prevalence; salud; sante; service de sante publique; servicios de salud; substance nutritive minerale; trace element deficiencies; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
• ISSN: 0022-3166; 1541-6100
• DOI: 10.1093/jn/124.suppl_8.1479S

Iron deficiency is a common nutritional disorder in developing countries and contributes significantly to reduced work productivity and economic output as well as to increased morbidity and mortality. There are well established biochemical tests for assessing iron status in developed countries. However, cost and interference from infectious conditions make it difficult to assess iron status in many developing country settings. Examination of the hemoglobin distribution in the population and assessment of the hemoglobin response to supplementation are alternative approaches to defining iron status and the nature of anemia. Prevention and control of iron deficiency requires the combined approach of dietary improvement, fortification of a common staple food when feasible, and appropriate iron supplementation for infants and pregnant women. In all these intervention activities, operational research is needed to improve effectiveness. In addition, controlling iron deficiency requires coordination with other nutrition and primary health care programs as part of an integrated approach to improved health and nutrition of the population.