Who is at risk for iron-deficiency anemia?
The major risk factors for iron-deficiency anemia are blood loss and a diet low in iron. Three of the highest risk groups are women, young children, and adults with intestinal bleeding. Women Women who lose a lot of blood during their monthly periods are at higher risk of developing iron-deficiency anemia. About 1 in 5 women of childbearing age has iron-deficiency anemia. Pregnant women need twice as much iron in their diet than women who are not pregnant. If a pregnant woman doesn’t get enough iron for herself and the growing baby, she can develop iron-deficiency anemia. About half of all pregnant women have this type of anemia. Young children Infants and toddlers 624 months of age need a lot of iron to grow and develop. The iron that full-term infants have stored in their bodies is used up in the first 46 months of life. After that, infants need to get iron from food or supplements. Premature and low-birthweight babies are at even greater risk for iron-deficiency anemia because they
