Anemia Posted Date: 06 Nov 2009     Resource Type: Articles/Knowledge Sharing     Category: Health Author: RoseNinja Member Level: Gold     Rating: Points: 25 (Rs 20)

THE ANEMIAS: Anaemia is a reduction in the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood ;this may be caused by a decreases in red blood cell production,or reduction in hemoglobin content of the blood,or a combination of these.it is often defined by the decrease in hb levels in the blood to below the normal range of 13.5g 11,5g and 11.5g.the effect on the individual will defend on the severity of the anemia and the degree to which the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood is diminished .signs and symptoms include pallor of the mucous membranes ,fatigue ,dizziness and fainting ,headache,exertional shortness of breath ,increased heart rate and palpitations.It is estimated that 18% of women in industrialized countries are anemic in the developing world this figure rises to 56% and is a contributory factor to women developing health problems and dying during pregnancy childbirth.Iron deficiency anemia in women is usually due to;reduced intake or absorption of iron ;this includes dietary deficiency and gastrointestinal disturbances such as diarrhea or hyperemia,excess demand such as diarrhea or hyperemia, excess demand such as frequent numerous or multiple pregnancies. chronic infection,particularly of the urinary tract,acute or chronic blood loss,for example hemorrhage,bleeding hemorrhoids,or antebellum or postpartum hemorrhage.in the developing world other common causes include hookworm infestation ,infections such as amoebic dysentery ,malaria due to plasm odium falconer and haemoglobin's.In order to help prevent anemia in pregnant women,midwives must understand not only the medical problems but also the social and demographic circumstances that give rise to it.The midwife should be able to identify the women at risk of anemia through clinical observation and by taking an accurate medical obstetric and social history.This may reveal a preexisting problem or a women whose racial origin or lifestyle predisposes her to anemia. when giving advice in early pregnancy regarding the dietary intake of iron,the midwife needs to take into consideration how to intake of iron may be affected by social,religious and cultural preferences.She also needs to explain how iron is absorbed and identify the optimal source of iron.The absorption of iron is complex and tends to decrease during the first trimester and then rises throughout the remainder of the pregnancy and during the first months of the puerperism.Iron absorption is also influenced by the bio availability of the iron in the diet.Iron is most essential and easily absorbed in the form found in red meat and wholegrain products such as wholemeal bread.Where the diet is mainly vegetarian,iron is of low bio availability.Absorption of iron is inhibited by tea and coffee but enhanced by ascorbic acid,which is present in orange juice and fresh fruit.it is estimated that a medium amount of 840-1210 mg of iron needs to be absorbed over the course of pregnancy.The demand for the absorbed iron increases from 0.8 mg/day in early pregnancy to 6 mg/day in late pregnancy owing to increase in maternal Hb,and in oxygen consumption by both mother and fetus,fetal growth and deposition of iron,placental circulation,the replacement of daily loss through stools,urine and skin,the replacement of blood lost at birth and in the postnatal period and lactation.The data on the prevalence of anemia in women suggest that the normal dietary anemia intake of iron are insufficient to meet these requirements for the majority of women.The centers that approximately 30% of women in the industrialized world will have depleted iron stores by the end of pregnancy and in some countries in the developing world this figure can rise to 80%.

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