تعريف

فقر الدم هو مستوى منخفض من خلايا الدم الحمراء السليمة (RBC). تحمل كرات الدم الحمراء الأكسجين من الرئتين إلى باقي الجسم. عندما تكون خلايا الدم الحمراء منخفضة ، لا يحصل الجسم على كمية كافية من الأكسجين. يمكن أن يسبب هذا أعراضًا مثل التعب أو شحوب الجلد أو عدم انتظام ضربات القلب.

Iron is needed to build healthy RBCs. Iron-deficiency anemia is caused by low levels of iron in the body.

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أسباب

Factors that play a role include:

  • Iron that is poorly absorbed in the digestive tract (may occur due to intestinal diseases or surgery)
  • Chronic bleeding (eg, heavy menstrual bleeding, bleeding in the gastrointestinal [GI] tract)
  • Not enough iron in the diet (common cause in infants, children, and pregnant women)

عوامل الخطر

تزيد هذه العوامل من فرصتك في الإصابة بهذه الحالة. أخبر طبيبك إذا كان لديك أي من عوامل الخطر التالية:

  • Rapid growth cycles (infancy, adolescence)
  • Heavy menstrual bleeding or chronic blood loss from the GI tract
  • حمل
  • Diets that contain insufficient iron (rare in the United States)
  • Breastfed infants who have not started on solid food after six months of age
  • Babies who are given cow’s milk prior to age 12 months
  • إدمان الكحول

الأعراض

While most people with mild anemia have no symptoms, when present, symptoms may include:

  • تعب
  • جلد شاحب
  • Fingernail changes
  • ضعف
  • الصداع
  • Decreased work capacity
  • خفقان القلب
  • العدوى
  • Craving to eat things that are not food (called a pica), such as ice or clay
  • تساقط الشعر
  • Shortness of breath during or after physical activity

التشخيص

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam.

قد تشمل الاختبارات ما يلي:

  • Serum iron
  • قدرة ربط حديد الترانسفيرين
  • مستوى الفيريتين في الدم
  • Microscope examination of a blood smear
  • Fecal occult blood test—to look for hidden blood in the stool

العلاج

قد تشمل العلاجات ما يلي:

Iron Supplements

Iron can be taken as a supplement or as part of a multivitamin. Iron comes in many “salt” forms. Ferrous salts are better absorbed than ferric salts. Ferrous sulfate is the cheapest and most commonly used iron salt. Slow-release or coated products may cause less stomach problems. However, they may not be absorbed as well. Some products contain vitamin C to improve absorption. Talk to your doctor, though, because your iron level could get too high.

Iron-Fortified Cereal

Your doctor may recommend that you feed your baby iron-fortified cereal.

الوقاية

To help reduce you or your child’s chances of getting this condition, take the following steps:

  • Eat a diet rich in iron (eg, oysters, meat, poultry, fish)
  • Avoid foods that interfere with iron absorption, like black tea
  • Ask your doctor if your infant is getting enough iron—The general guidelines are:
    • Starting at four months, breastfed infants need an iron supplement until they get enough iron from other sources, like infant cereal or iron-fortified formula.
    • Bottle-fed infants should get a formula that is fortified with iron.
    • Many premature infants need extra iron starting at one month of age.
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