The article explores NA in children, revealing iron deficiency as the primary cause but doesn’t reduce the impact of B12 and folate deficiencies. It details symptoms to diagnose NA and intervention techniques to reduce NA in impoverished populations and prevent future cases @gavin-knight.bsky.social

Improving the knowledge of populations in poverty through education programmes in schools and community areas are necessary in preventing future cases of NA. Geographical disparities will be present and may alter these interventions. I encourage further reading on NA from WHO bit.ly/3Z7a0Lk

Diets in poor countries tend to be high in phytate, impairing nutrient absorption. This is combated by biofortification of crops with iron through plant-breeding, it’s integral for poor households as there’s less cost once seeds are grown. There are other strategies that require social changes.

It’s vital to detect NA in infants as growth is impacted. Maternal anaemia is just as important and can cause low birth weight and affect iron absorption as breast milk will be affected. Pre-teen girls are at higher risk than boys due to menstrual blood loss and different dietary requirements.

Deprived communities in Africa and Asia face challenges such as poor diet and inadequate healthcare leading to NA exceeding 60% in some paediatric populations. Weaker education systems lead to less knowledge on the cultural effects on NA, such as vegan diets being a leading cause of iron deficiency.

Megaloblastic anaemia is a common symptom of B12/folate deficiency and is diagnosed using a blood film. Signs of reduced Hb include skin pallor, conjuctiva, severe fatigue and dyspnea. Children with NA are prone to respiratory infections as immune system is weakened due to reduced oxygen delivery.

Inherited disorders, sickle cell disease and thalassaemia are major global causes of NA, affecting ≈300k babies yearly. These dangerous disorders occur from a gene mutation and impair Hb synthesis resulting in iron deficiency. Transcobalamin deficiency reduces B12 movement causing impaired growth.

Infectious diseases often cause these vitamin deficiencies, commonly TB which thrives in poor populations. An infection such as H. pylori affects both iron and B12 absorption by damaging stomach cells. Parasitic infections increase hepcidin which reduces intestinal iron absorption and iron stores.

Common nutrient deficiencies are Iron, B12 (cobalamin), and folate. Iron deficiency is most common in infants due to the high demand of iron for growth. These deficiencies cause ineffective red blood cell production and haemoglobin synthesis, which then leads to development of nutritional anaemia.