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By ULY CLINIC

 

Iron Deficiency Anaemia

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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.

 

Clinical presentation: fatigue, palpitation, dizziness, glossitis, koilonychias (spoon shaped nails) and pica 

 

Diagnostic Criteria

Pallor, glossitis, koilonychias (spoon shaped nails) and pica

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  • 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  

 

Non-Pharmacological Treatment

  • 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 Treatment

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  • 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.

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Updated on, 27.10.2020

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References

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1. STG page number 10-12

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