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Anaemia - iron deficiency - Background information
What is it?
- Iron deficiency occurs when the body's iron demand is not met by iron absorption from the diet [Killip et al, 2007].
- Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) occurs in the more severe stages of iron deficiency when the body is iron deficient to the degree that red blood cell production is reduced [WHO et al, 2001; Conrad, 2006].
- The World Health Organization defines anaemia as [WHO et al, 2001]:
- In men over 15 years of age: haemoglobin (Hb) below 13 g/dL.
- In non-pregnant women over 15 years of age: Hb below 12 g/dL.
- In pregnant women: Hb below 11 g/dL.
- In children of 12–14 years of age: Hb below 12 g/dL.
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