IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA

DIETARY PATTERN OF IRON INTAKE FROM INDIGENOUS IRON RICH FOOD IN FEMALE IDA PATIENTS AND CORRESPONDING HEMATOLOGICAL PROFILES: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN KARACHI

Abstract

Globally about two billion people suffer from anemia of various types amongst
which Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) is the most prevalent type. According to National Nutrition
Survey of Pakistan 2011 (NNS), 50.4 % of non-pregnant females suffer from IDA, despite the
fact that a variety of low cost, indigenous food sources of iron are available, affordable and
accessible in Pakistan. IDA is a risk factor for complications of pregnancy and low birth weight
baby and is also an independent cause of morbidity and mortality in all ages. Therefore this
study was conducted to determine the dietary patterns of iron intake in females of reproductive
age group who had IDA without any other known cause. Study Design: A cross sectional
study. Setting: Three tertiary care centers of Ziauddin Hospital located at Clifton, Kemari and
North Nazimabad. Methods: Reproductive age females suffering from IDA according to their
CBC profile within three months prior to the study were selected through purposive sampling.
Females taking iron supplements or with any known cause of iron deficiency were excluded.
Total of 141 eligible and consenting IDA patients filled a 7 Day dietary recall questionnaire
to determine the iron intake of indigenously available iron rich foods and blood sample was
collected for hematological profiles and iron studies. Results: Mean iron intake was 6.41 ±
4.39 mg/day. Median heme and non heme iron intake was 8.0 mg and 28.0 mg per week,
respectively. 52.4% of our study population had moderate IDA, 38.2% had pica for one or more
substance and almost all suffered from one or more symptoms of iron deficiency. Majority of
the population was consuming non-heme sources of iron. Conclusion: The iron consumption
from indigenous dietary sources is very low and contributes significantly to development of IDA.
Increasing awareness regarding signs and symptoms of IDA and common dietary sources of
iron will contribute to screening, early diagnosis and correction of the iron deficit thus promoting
health and preventing complications.