PREPARED BY
MILAN DHAKAL
Nutritional Anaemia
6/21/2020Nutritional Anaemia
Defination of Anaemia
The condition that results from the inability of the
erythropoietic tissue to maintain normal haemoglobin
concentration on account of inadequate supply of one
or more nutrients leading to reduction in the total
circulating haemoglobin.
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Nutritional Anaemia
Causes of Anaemia
By the absence of any dietary essential that is
involved in haemoglobin formation or by poor
absorption of these dietary essentials.
By lack of dietary iron or high quality protein.
By lack of vitamin B6, vitamin C , Vitamin E.
By lack of copper.
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Nutritional Anaemia
Nutritional requirement for the formation of RBC
Iron for Hbsynthesis
Vitamin B12 and folatefor normal DNA synthesis
Other vitamines–B6(pyridoxine), thiamin,
riboflavin and vitamins C & E
Trace metals such as cobalt
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Nutritional Anaemia
Prevalance
According to WHO
Worldwide prevalance = abt 30%
Higher rates in developing countries
40% in young children
50% of pregnant women and 35% of non-pregnant
women affected
18%adult males
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Nutritional Anaemia
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Types of Anaemia
i.Hypochromic and microcytic:-
Insufficiency of iron for haemoglobin formation
RBCs are pale and small.
ii.Megaloblastic :-
deficiency of folate and vitamin B
12
RBCs irregular in shape and size, usally larger than normal
Aka orthochromic macrocytic anaemia.
iii.Dimorphic :-
If both iron and folate or vitamin B
12are deficient it give rise
to hypochromic macrocytic or dimorphic anaemia.
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Nutritional Anaemia
Iron Deficiency Anaemia
Most common form of anaemia
Mainly women of reproductive age , infants
and children are affected
Aetiology
a.Inadequate iron intake
b.Inadequate utilization of iron
c.Blood losses
d.Increased requirementsofiron
e.Inadequate absorption of iron
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Nutritional Anaemia
Cut-off points for haemoglobin values for diagnosis of
anaemia:-
Group Hbg/dl
Adult men >13
Adult women >12
Pregnant women >11
Lactating women >12
Children till 5 yrs >11
Children 5-11yrs >11.5
Children 12-13 yrs >12
Other children >12
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Nutritional Anaemia
Clinical findings
A.Immunocompetence
Decreased no. Of T-cells and production of antibodies.
B. Diminished work performance
C. Cognitive development
oFe deficient young adolescent have been shown to score relatively
lower in test.
D.Behavioural implications
E.Structure and function of epithelial tissues
•Mostly tongue, nails, mouth, and stomach are affected
•Pale skin
•Nails can become thin and flat and koilonychiamay appear
•Mouth changes include atrophy of lingual papillae, glossitis,
angular stomatitisand dysphagia.
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Nutritional Anaemia
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Koilonchiya
Treatment
̶Oral administration of inorganic iron in the ferrous
form –ferrous sulphate 50-200 mg 3 times daily for
adults and 6mg/kg for children.
̶Iron is best absorbed when stomach is empty but it
tends to cause gastric irritation.
̶Gastrointestinal side effects can be minimized by
increasing dose slowly until the requirement is
reached and by giving iron in divided doses at least 3
times/day.
̶Use of chelated form of iron can improve absorption.
̶Ascorbic acid helps in Fe absorption.
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Nutritional Anaemia
Megaloblastic Anaemia
DNA synthesis is intense in haemopoietic tissue.
Vit B12 and folate are essential for DNA synthesis
are.
Deficiency of one or both causes disordered cell
proliferation.
Morphological changes appear in marrow cells.
Cells appear abnormally large.
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Nutritional Anaemia
Vitamin B12 deficiency/pernicious anaemia
Inability to produce IF results prenicious anaemia
RBC count is often <2.5 million and large proportion of
cells are macrocytic
Occurs mainly in middle aged and elderly person and may
be genetic
Arises as autoimmune disease as antibodies against gastric
mucosa can probably be responsible for destroying
mechanism of producing IF
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Nutritional Anaemia
Causes of pernicious anaemia
1.Inadequate ingestion
Vegans are susceptible for B12 deficiency
Chronic alcoholism, poverty, religious taboos and
dietary fads can also cause B12 deficiency.
2.Inadequate absorption and utilization of B12
3.Inadequate utilization due to presence of B12
antagonists
4.Increased requirements
Prevalance
•Rare before age of 30
•Occurs mainly btwn45-65 yrs
•Affects females more than males
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Nutritional Anaemia
Clinical features
Patients have lemon yellow or pale skin
Anorexia, glossitis, achlorhydria, abdominal discomfort,
frequent diarrhoea, weight loss, general weakness
Hb may be < 8%
Numbness of limbs, coldness of extremities and difficulty in
walking
Gastric secretions are devoid of pepsin, acid and IF
Diagnosis
Age of patient
Plasma B12 < 160 ng/l while plasma folate is normal
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Nutritional Anaemia
If Hb < 4g/dl blood transfusion should be given.
Hydroxocobalamin should be given in a dosage
of 1000 mcg intramuscularly twice during 1
st
week then 250 mcg until blood count is normal
Then 1000mcg every six week
Treatment
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Nutritional Anaemia
Dietary consideration
High protein diet of 100-150 g protein with high
calorie
Moderate fat
Fried foods avoided
Soft or clear diet preferable until glositis completely
disappears
Avoid spicy food
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Nutritional Anaemia
Diagnosis
•Hb level may be <4g/dl.
•Glossitis is often present.
•Paraesthesia is a common complaint.
•Plasma folate <3ng/ml.
•Free Hcl in gastric juice.
•Increased serum homocysteine level.
•Formimino glutamic acid excretion test in urine
is a test of folic acid deficiency.
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Nutritional Anaemia
How to treat??
•Folic acid in dose of 5-10mg daily is
effective
•Patient with haemoglobin<5g/dl need
blood transfusion.
Dietary consideration
•Foods rich in folic acid like
pulses,greenleafyvegetables,cluster
beans,ladiesfinger,gingellydiet seeds,liver
and eggs should be included in the diet.
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Nutritional Anaemia
Prevention
1.Diet
Balanced diet rich in protein, vitamin and minerals
should be consumed.
2. Supplementation
Expectant and nurshingmother are given 6omg of
elemental iron and 0.5mg of folic acid.
Children in the age group 1-5 yrs are given 20mg of
elemental iron and 0.1mg of folic acid.
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Nutritional Anaemia
Contd…..
3. Education
Promotion of consumption of pulses, green leafy vegetables
and meat products –rich in bioavailableiron,particularly
by pregnant and lactating mother.
Addition of iron richfoodsto the weaning foods of infants.
Promotion of home gardening to increase the availability of
common iron rich food such as green leafy vegetables.
4. Fortification
Fortification of a commonly consumed food item with iron
has been considered as one of the practical approaches for
the prevention and control of iron deficiency anaemia.
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