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There have been numerous guidelines and articles indicating that iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia are harmful to development and health throughout the life cycle. Health and cognitive impairment problems are noted for infants and young children, adolescents, women of reproductive age, pregnant women, adults, and the elderly.

Infants and young children
Infants born of mothers with iron deficiency anaemia are more likely to have low iron stores and to require more iron than can be supplied by breastmilk at a younger age .
• There is convincing evidence linking iron deficiency anaemia to lower cognitive test scores (38) and that these effects can be long lasting. Compared to most other public health problems, little emphasis has been placed on this issue or on allocation of resources to prevent and control iron deficiency anaemia in these groups.

Children, adolescents, and adults
• There are numerous studies showing a relationship between iron deficiency and/or iron deficiency anaemia and muscle function, physical activity, workplace and school productivity, and mental acuity and concentration in older children and adults.
• There is an increased susceptibility to heavy metal (including lead) poisoning in iron deficient children (25).

Pregnant women
• Iron deficiency during pregnancy is extremely common even among otherwise well-nourished populations.
• Iron status at the beginning of a pregnancy is a strong determinant of haemoglobin concentration and iron status at the end of that pregnancy.
• Severely anaemic pregnant women are at greater risk of death during the perinatal period (39).

All persons
• Iron deficiency can impair cognitive performance at all stages of life (25).
• Morbidity from infectious diseases is increased in iron deficient populations (8), and correcting iron deficiency can result in decreased morbidity (40).
• With severe anaemia, the ability to monitor and regulate body temperature when exposed to cold is reduced.
• Physical work capacity is significantly reduced in persons with iron deficiency (19, 40).

 

Iron Deficiency Project Advisory Service International Nutrition Foundation Web site: http://www.micronutrient.org/IDPAS Email: idpas@inffoundation.org Phone (1-617) 636-3770 Fax: (1-617) 636-3781 Project Office: 150 Harrison Street, Boston, MA, 02111 Gerald J. & Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University