Anemia Introduction Anemia is a disorder of the blood in which there is a

decrease in the number of red blood cells or in the quantity of hemoglobin (the iron-containing portion of red blood cells). This decrease in red blood cells reduces the oxygen carrying power of the blood, resulting in insufficient oxygen being delivered to the body's tissues. This inadequate supply of oxygen throughout the body often results in one developing extreme fatigue and a shortness of breath-the classical symptoms of anemia. Common causes of anemia include blood loss, dietary deficiencies, poor iron absorption, increased needs for iron (such as in young children, adolescents, women of childbearing age, pregnant women, the elderly), and chronic diseases. Some of the most common types of anemia include: Deficiency Anemia - Anemia caused by low levels of nutrients such as iron, vitamin B12, or folic acid Sickle-Cell Anemia and Thalassemia - Inherited abnormalities of hemoglobin production Megaloblastic (Pernicious) Anemia - A disorder caused by malabsorption of vitamin B12 from the digestive tract

Congenital Aplastic Anemia - Failure of bone marrow to produce red blood cells. It is essential that the type of anemia be identified through a complete diagnostic workup by a qualified health care professional, in order to render appropriate treatment.

Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common cause of anemia. This type of anemia is often due to chronic blood loss resulting from heavy menstrual bleeding, pregnancy, peptic ulcers, bleeding lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, reflux esophagitis, or gastric or colorectal cancer.

Anemia Statistics
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) (1, 2): Approximately 3.4 million Americans suffer from anemia, making it the most common blood disorder in the United States. 12% of all premenopausal women in the United States have anemia. 7% of children (ages 1-2 years) have anemia

Anemia Symptoms
Along with the symptoms of an underlying disorder, the general symptoms of most anemia includes: Fatigue and faintness Shortness of breath on mild exertion Increased heart rate (palpitations) Loss of skin tone or color Iron-deficiency anemia symptoms may additionally include: Concave, spoon-shaped nails Painful cracks in the skin at the side of the mouth A smooth, reddened tongue If anemia is severe and long-term: Chronic heart failure may result

Gambaran hematologi Anemia defisiensi besi :

Severe iron deficiency anemia showing hypochromic pale hemoglobindeficient microcytic small and misshappen red blood cells in human peripheral blood smear, Wright stain. LM X252

Photomicrograph of peripheral blood smear demonstrating hypochromic and microcytic erythrocytes typically seen in iron deficiency anemia