<P> Iron - deficiency anemia is usually caused by blood loss, insufficient dietary intake, or poor absorption of iron from food . Sources of blood loss can include heavy periods, childbirth, uterine fibroids, stomach ulcers, colon cancer, and urinary tract bleeding . A poor ability to absorb iron may occur as a result of Crohn's disease or a gastric bypass . In the developing world, parasitic worms, malaria, and HIV / AIDS increase the risk . Diagnosis is generally confirmed by blood tests . </P> <P> Prevention is by eating a diet high in iron or iron supplementation in those at risk . Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include dietary changes, medications, or surgery . Iron supplements and vitamin C may be recommended . Severe cases may be treated with blood transfusions or iron injections . </P> <P> Iron - deficiency anemia affected about 1.48 billion people in 2015 . A lack of dietary iron is estimated to cause approximately half of all anemia cases globally . Women and young children are most commonly affected . In 2015 anemia due to iron deficiency resulted in about 54,000 deaths--down from 213,000 deaths in 1990 . </P> <P> Iron - deficiency anemia is characterized by the sign of pallor (reduced oxyhemoglobin in skin or mucous membranes), and the symptoms of fatigue, lightheadedness, and weakness . None of these symptoms (or any of the others below) are sensitive or specific . Pallor of mucous membranes (primarily the conjunctiva) in children suggests anemia with the best correlation to the disease, but in a large study was found to be only 28% sensitive and 87% specific (with high predictive value) in distinguishing children with anemia (hemoglobin (Hb) <11.0 g / dl) and 49% sensitive and 79% specific in distinguishing severe anemia (Hb <7.0 g / dl). Thus, this sign is reasonably predictive when present, but not helpful when absent, as only one - third to one - half of children who are anemic (depending on severity) will show pallor . </P>

Peripheral blood smear findings in iron deficiency anemia