1. Consequences of Anemia
Mrs. Anuradha Shekhar
Associate Professor
HOD of Food Science and Nutrition.
Dr. B.M.N College of Home Science
(Matunga)

2. Work Performance and Productivity
• Maximum work capacity, work, output and
endurance are impaired in an iron deficient
state.
• Earning capacity of adults is reduced.
• The aerobic capacity and physical performance
in children is reduced leading to early fatigue.
• Low cardio-vascular efficiency scores.
• Higher heart rates.
• Increased Recovery Pulse rates.
• Lower Cognitive Development effect mental
concentration which further reduced productivity.
• Absenteeism from work.

3. Complications During Pregnancy
• There is an increased
requirement of iron during
pregnancy making them
vulnerable to anemia.
• The risks involved are low
birth rate babies, pre-term
delivery, inadequate
pregnancy weight gain,
reduced placental size,
damage to the placenta.
• Infant morbidity and
mortality, pre-natal
maternal mortality.

4. Lower Cellular Immunity and
Increased Morbidity.
• Anemia results in impairment to cell mediated immunity
and lymphocyte proliferation response to mitogens in
pregnant women.
• In young children with
heamoglobin less than
10gms/dl had impaired
cell mediated immune
response and bacterial
activity of leucocytes.
• Episodes of infectious morbidities increase in anemia.

5. Compromised Development in
Infants and Young Children.
• Anemia in the early 2 years of life is associated
with delayed psychomotor development and
changes in behavior.
• Iron deficiency during intra-uterine life or during
early weaning leads to depletion of non heam
iron in the brain altering certain neuro-
transmitters impairing brain development.
• Impaired mental and motor development.
• Lower scores in IQ tests.
• Lower scores in tests involving attention,
concentration and memory.
• Lowered Cognitive Development.

6. Complication in Adolescence
• Low iron stores in throughout childhood may
delay age of menarche.
• Cephalopelvic disproportion leads to increased
risk of maternal and foetal mortality.
• Severe anemia may lead to neurological
abnormalities including head ache, irritability,
generalized muscle weakness and ischemic
attack.
• Anemia may also impair immune response.
• Lower verbal learning and memory
• Decreased mood and ability to concentrate.

7. Impaired Thermo-Regulation
• Studies show that cold tolerance is
compromised in iron deficient anemic woman.
• Lack of iron may result in lack of adequate stock
of the Thyroid hormones which curtails
increased cellular metabolism on
exposure to cold, leading to
increased intolerance.

8. Child Growth Defects
• Anemia may result in growth retardation which
can be corrected by giving them iron
supplements.
Due to its implications on development, growth,
health and work output of an individual there is
an urgent need to control iron deficiency anemia.

9. Treatment
• A good iron rich diet which should include a
liberal portion of dark green leafy vegetables, dry
fruits, enriched cereals, non- vegetarian and
Vitamin C food.
• Supplement of iron salts such as Ferrous
Sulphate, Gluconate or Fumerate.
• Prophylaxis: Anemia is common is third trimester
of Pregnancy, iron and folate needs to be
prescribed.