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Iron Deficiency Anaemia
Introduction
This is a condition whereby a lack of iron in the body (mainly due to blood loss secondary to haemorrhage, malabsorption and hookworm infestations and pregnancy) leads to a reduction in the number of red blood cells.
Risk Factors
Signs and symptoms
Some of signs and symptoms include
• Fatigue
• Palpitation
• Dizziness
• Glossitis
• Koilonychias (spoon shaped nails) and pica
Diagnostic criteria
• Pallor
• Glossitis
• koilonychias (spoon shaped nails) and pica
Investigations
• CBC-Low Hb, MCV, MCHC and raised RDW
• Peripheral smear- microcytic hypochromic red cell, pencil cells.
• Low serum Iron levels and raised Total iron binding capacity
• Stool analysis
Treatment
-
Non-pharmacological
- • Treat the cause of blood loss, for example menorrhagia, upper GI bleeding due to peptic ulcer and lower GI bleeding secondary to hookworm infestation and malignancy.
• Blood transfusion is only indicated if it is life threatening.
-
Pharmacological
- Ferrous Sulfate 200 mg (PO) 8 hourly for 3 months Children 5 mg/kg (PO) 8 hourly. Continue for 3 months after the normal hemoglobin has been achieved.
Prevention
Updated on,
14 Novemba 2020 08:37:49
References
- 1.STG
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