Anemia--still a major health problem in many parts of the world!

Dietary diversity and iron deficiency anemia among a cohort of singleton pregnancies: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is considered one of the most common medical disorders observed during pregnancy. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), anemia and micronutrients deficiencies among pregnant women are associated with low consumption of animal products, monotonous starchy-diets, and seasonal consumption of vegetables and fruits.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 198 pregnant mothers aged between 19-45 years who visited the antenatal care clinics in Northern Jordan to document the prevalence of IDA and to describe the associations between dietary diversity, diet quality scores and oral iron supplementation with the pregnant women iron status. Participants were stratified into three groups by gestational age (n = 66 women per group). Gestational age, blood parameters, minimum dietary diversity score (MDD-W), and prime diet quality score for healthy (PDQSHF) and unhealthy foods (PDQSUF) were assessed using 24- hour dietary recall.

RESULTS

Prevalence of mild to moderate anemia was 27.8% among pregnant women. Third-trimester pregnant women were most affected. 52.5% have depleted iron stores (ferritin < 15 ng/ml), of them 30.8% have iron deficiency, and 21.7% have IDA. The (M ± SD) of the MDD-W, PDQSHF, and PDQSUF were 4.8 ± 1.6, 12.8 ± 3.9, and 7.2 ± 2.8 respectively. 52.5% achieved the MDD-W, 68% consumed < 4 servings/week of healthy food groups, and 50% consumed > 4 servings/week of unhealthy food groups. Mothers with higher MDD-W and PDQS had higher Hb and serum concentrations. Those taking iron supplements had significantly (p = 0.001) higher means of Hb, serum ferritin, and gestational weight gain. Significant differences were also found between PDQSHF, PDQSUF and the first and third trimester.

CONCLUSIONS

Mild to moderate IDA is prevalent among pregnant mothers, especially in the third trimester. However, the prevalence of IDA among Jordanian pregnant women is lower than the global average. A high-quality, diverse diet, combined with oral iron supplementation and food fortification with iron, will help improve iron status, prevent anemia, and reduce its prevalence.

Who is Anaemic in India? Intersections of class, caste, and gender

Anaemia severely impacts physical and mental abilities, raises health risks, and diminishes the quality of life and work capacity. It is a leading cause of adverse pregnancy outcomes and maternal mortality, especially in developing nations like India, where recent data on anaemia from National Family and Health Survey (NFHS-4) (2015-16) and NFHS-5 (2019-21) indicate a tremendous rise. Anaemia is a marker of poor nutrition and health, and socio-economic factors such as gender norms, race, income, and living conditions influence its impact. As a result, there are disparities in how anaemia affects different segments of society. However, existing research on health inequity and anaemia often employs a single-axis analytical framework of social power. These studies operate under the assumption that gender, economic class, ethnicity, and caste are inherently distinct and mutually exclusive categories and fail to provide a comprehensive understanding of anaemia prevalence. Therefore, the study has adopted the theoretical framework of intersectionality and analysed the NFHS-5 (2019-21) data using bivariate cross-tabulations and binary logistic regression models to understand how gender, class, caste, and place of residence are associated with the prevalence of anaemia. The results suggest that the women of Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Scheduled Castes (SC) share a disproportionate burden of anaemia. This study confirms that economic class and gender, geographical location, level of education, and body mass index significantly determine the prevalence of anaemia. The ST and SC women who are economically marginalised and reside in rural areas with high levels of poverty, exclusion, and poor nutritional status have a higher prevalence of anaemia than other population groups. Thus, the study suggests that intersections of multiple factors such as caste, class, gender, and place of residence significantly determine 'who is anaemic in India'.

Current concepts in postpartum anemia management

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Postpartum anemia (PPA) is common in women after childbirth and affects about 50-80% of all women worldwide. Iron deficiency (ID) is the main cause for anemia and constitutes a potentially preventable condition with great impact on the mother's physical and mental condition after delivery. In most cases, PPA is associated with antenatal ID and peripartum blood losses. Numerous published studies confirmed the positive effect of PPA diagnosis and treatment.

RECENT FINDINGS

Iron deficiency as well as iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are common in the postpartum period and represent significant health problems in women of reproductive age.

SUMMARY

Important movements towards early detection and therapy of postpartum anemia have been observed. However, postpartum anemia management is not implemented on a large scale as many healthcare professionals are not aware of the most recent findings in the field. Diagnosis and therapy of PPA, particularly iron supplementation in ID and IDA, has proven to be highly effective with a tremendous effect on women's wellbeing and outcome.

Prevalence and determinants of moderate-to-severe anaemia in the third trimester of pregnancy: a multicenter cross-sectional study in Lagos, Nigeria

The high burden of anaemia during pregnancy underscores the urgent need to gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors contributing to its widespread occurrence. Our study assessed the prevalence and the trends of moderate-to-severe anaemia (MSA) in late pregnancy (28 to 36 weeks) and then investigated the key determinants driving this prevalence among women in Lagos, Nigeria. We conducted a secondary data analysis involving 1216 women enrolled in the Predict-PPH study between January and March 2023. We employed a multivariate binary logistic regression model with a backward stepwise selection approach to identify significant predictors of MSA. The study revealed a 14.5% prevalence of MSA during pregnancy. Independent predictors of MSA included having given birth to two or more children (adjusted odds ratio = 1.46, 95% confidence interval: 1.03-2.07), having a maternal body mass index (BMI) of 28 kg/m2 or higher (adjusted odds ratio = 1.84, 95% confidence interval: 1.29-2.61), having less than tertiary education (adjusted odds ratio = 1.51, 95% confidence interval: 1.08-2.11), and being unemployed (adjusted odds ratio = 1.97, 95% confidence interval: 1.19-3.26). It is crucial for pregnant women, particularly those with higher parities and elevated BMI, to be monitored regularly for anaemia and its consequences during their antenatal care. Additionally, addressing the link between low education, unemployment, and anaemia necessitates comprehensive strategies that empower women in terms of education and economic status to enhance the overall well-being of individuals and communities, ultimately reducing the prevalence of anaemia and associated health issues in pregnancy.

Multilevel analysis of anemia and associated factors among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in Liberia: Evidence from the 2019/20 Liberia demographic and health survey data

BACKGROUND

Anemia is a global public health problem, principally affecting young children and reproductive-age mothers. Although anemia is a main public health concern in low-income countries, there is no evidence about its prevalence and associated factors among women of reproductive age in Liberia. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence and associated factors of anemia among women of reproductive age in Liberia.

METHODS

We used the data extracted from the fifth Liberia Demographic and Health Survey (LDHS-V) that were carried out between October 2019 and February 2020. The sample was chosen using a stratified two-stage cluster sampling procedure. Overall weighted samples of 4027 women of reproductive age were used in the analysis. Data weighting was carried out to obtain reliable estimates and standard errors as well as to restore the representativeness of the data. Stata version 14 software was used for data extraction, coding, and analysis. We used multilevel analysis to identify the significant factors associated with anemia among women of reproductive age.

RESULTS

The prevalence of anemia among women of reproductive age in Liberia was 44.51 (95% CI: 42.97-46.04). From these, about 23.10% of women of reproductive age were mildly anemic, 20.63% were moderately anemic and 0.78% was severely anemic. In multivariable analysis; women with the groups of 20-24 years (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.56, 0.92), 25-29 years (AOR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.43, 0.77), 30-34 years (AOR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.43, 0.83), 35-39 years (AOR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.41, 0.79), 40-44 years (AOR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.43,0.87), 45-49 years (AOR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.39,0.82), overweight (AOR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.70, 0.98), obese (AOR = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.58, 0.88), using modern contraceptive methods (AOR = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.52, 0.72), and being from the Northcentral region (AOR = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.43, 0.72) were significantly associated with lower odds of anemia. However, being pregnant (AOR = 1.34; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.73) and having higher parity (3 children or more) (AOR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.93) were significantly associated with higher odds of anemia.

CONCLUSION

In the present study, the prevalence of anemia in women of reproductive age was relatively high. Therefore, it is better to provide special emphasis on high-risk groups such as pregnant and multiparous women.

Determinants of normal haemoglobin concentration among under-five children in Sub-Saharan Africa: a Positive deviance inquiry using cross-sectional study design

BACKGROUND

Low haemoglobin level in children is linked with short-term and long-term consequences including developmental delay. Globally, over half of the children under the age of five years had low haemoglobin concentration. However, there is limited research on the prevalence and determinants of normal haemoglobin concentration among under-five children in sub-Saharan Africa.

OBJECTIVE

To assess determinants of normal haemoglobin concentration among under-five children in SSA.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study design using a positive deviance approach SETTING: 33 SSA countries.

PARTICIPANTS

129 408 children aged 6-59 months PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: A multilevel Poisson regression model with robust variance was fitted to identify determinants of normal haemoglobin concentration. An adjusted prevalence ratio with a 95% CI was reported to declare the statistical significance.

RESULT

The pooled prevalence of normal haemoglobin concentration among under-five children in SSA was 34.9% (95% CI: 34.6% to 35.1%). High maternal education, middle and rich household wealth, female child, frequent antenatal care visits, non-anaemic mothers, taking anthelmintic drugs and normal nutritional status were associated with increased odds of normal haemoglobin concentration. On the other hand, higher birth order, having fever and diarrhoea, rural residence were associated with lower odds of normal haemoglobin levels.

CONCLUSION

According to our finding, only four out of 10 under-five children in SSA had a normal haemoglobin level. This finding proved that anaemia among children in SSA remains a serious public health concern. Therefore, improving maternal education, provision of drugs for an intestinal parasite and early detection and treatment of maternal anaemia, febrile illness and diarrhoeal disease is important.

Prenatal anaemia and risk of postpartum haemorrhage: a cohort analysis of data from the Predict-PPH study

BACKGROUND

Most previous clinical studies investigating the connection between prenatal anaemia and postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) have reported conflicting results.

OBJECTIVES

We examined the association between maternal prenatal anaemia and the risk of PPH in a large cohort of healthy pregnant women in five health institutions in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

METHODS

This was a prospective cohort analysis of data from the Predict-PPH study that was conducted between January and June 2023. The study enrolled n = 1222 healthy pregnant women giving birth in five hospitals in Lagos, Nigeria. The study outcome, WHO-defined PPH, is postpartum blood loss of at least 500 milliliters. We used a multivariable logistic regression model with a backward stepwise conditional approach to examine the association between prenatal anaemia of increasing severity and PPH while adjusting for confounding factors.

RESULTS

Of the 1222 women recruited to the Predict-PPH study between January and June 2023, 1189 (97·3%) had complete outcome data. Up to 570 (46.6%) of the enrolled women had prenatal anaemia while 442 (37.2%) of those with complete follow-up data had WHO-defined PPH. After controlling for potential confounding factors, maternal prenatal anaemia was independently associated with PPH (adjusted odds ratio = 1.37, 95% confidence interval: 1.05-1.79). However, on the elimination of interaction effects of coexisting uterine fibroids and mode of delivery on this association, a sensitivity analysis yielded a lack of significant association between prenatal anaemia and PPH (adjusted odds ratio = 1.27, 95% confidence interval: 0.99-1.64). We also recorded no statistically significant difference in the median postpartum blood loss in women across the different categories of anaemia (P = 0.131).

CONCLUSION

Our study revealed that prenatal anaemia was not significantly associated with PPH. These findings challenge the previously held belief of a suspected link between maternal anaemia and PPH. This unique evidence contrary to most previous studies suggests that other factors beyond prenatal anaemia may contribute more significantly to the occurrence of PPH. This highlights the importance of comprehensive assessment and consideration of various maternal health factors in predicting and preventing this life-threatening obstetric complication.

Early-life iron deficiency persistently disrupts affective behaviour in mice

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Iron deficiency (ID) is the most common nutrient deficiency, affecting two billion people worldwide, including about 30% of pregnant women. During gestation, the brain is particularly vulnerable to environmental insults, which can irrevocably impair critical developmental processes. Consequently, detrimental consequences of early-life ID for offspring brain structure and function have been described. Although early life ID has been associated with an increased long-term risk for several neuropsychiatric disorders, the effect on depressive disorders has remained unresolved.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A mouse model of moderate foetal and neonatal ID was established by keeping pregnant dams on an iron-deficient diet throughout gestation until postnatal day 10. The ensuing significant decrease of iron content in the offspring brain, as well as the impact on maternal behaviour and offspring vocalization was determined in the first postnatal week. The consequences of early-life ID for depression- and anxiety-like behaviour in adulthood were revealed employing dedicated behavioural assays. miRNA sequencing of hippocampal tissue of offspring revealed specific miRNAs signatures accompanying the behavioural deficits of foetal and neonatal ID in the adult brain.

RESULTS

Mothers receiving iron-deficient food during pregnancy and lactation exhibited significantly less licking and grooming behaviour, while active pup retrieval and pup ultrasonic vocalizations were unaltered. Adult offspring with a history of foetal and neonatal ID showed an increase in depression- and anxiety-like behaviour, paralleled by a deranged miRNA expression profile in the hippocampus, specifically levels of miR200a and miR200b.

CONCLUSION

ID during the foetal and neonatal periods has life-long consequences for affective behaviour in mice and leaves a specific and persistent mark on the expression of miRNAs in the brain. Foetal and neonatal ID needs to be further considered as risk factor for the development of depression and anxiety disorders later in life.Key MessagesMarginal reduction of gestational alimentary iron intake decreases brain iron content of the juvenile offspring.Early-life ID is associated with increased depression- and anxiety-like behaviour in adulthood.Reduction of maternal alimentary iron intake during pregnancy is reflected in an alteration of miRNA signatures in the adult offspring brain.

Expert consensus on improving iron deficiency anemia management in obstetrics and gynecology in Asia

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a major health burden among women in Asia. Key issues in IDA management in Asia are under-diagnosis and under-treatment. The lack of Asia-specific guidelines, and suboptimal utilization of treatment compounds the management of IDA. To address these gaps, a panel of 12 experts in obstetrics, gynecology, and hematology from six regions in Asia convened to review current practices and clinical evidence and provide practical guidance on IDA diagnosis and management in Asian women. The Delphi approach was used to obtain objective opinions and attain consensus on statements pertaining to awareness, diagnosis, and management of IDA. In total, 79 statements attained consensus and are summarized to provide guidance on raising awareness of IDA and approaches for improved diagnosis and treatment of IDA among women in various settings: pregnancy, postpartum, heavy menstrual bleeding, gynecologic cancers, and perioperative care. This clinician-led consensus integrates appropriate recommendations based on clinical evidence and best practices and is intended to guide decision making in the management of iron deficiency/IDA in women. The expert panel raises a call for timely diagnosis and utilization of appropriate treatment, including use of high-dose intravenous iron, stringent blood management, and interdisciplinary collaboration, for optimization of IDA management among women in Asia.

Role of iron in the reduction of anemia among women of reproductive age in low-middle income countries: insights from systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Iron deficiency anemia is a common public health issue among women of reproductive age (WRA) because it can result in adverse maternal and birth outcomes. Although studies are undertaken to assess iron efficacy, some gaps and limitations in the existing literature need to be addressed. To fill the gaps, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the role of iron in reducing anemia among WRA in low-middle-income countries (LMICs).

METHODS

A comprehensive search strategy was used to search Medline through PubMed, Embase, and Science Direct for RCTs published between 2000 and 2020. The primary outcome was the mean change in hemoglobin level. We used standardized mean differences and their respective 95% CI to estimate the pooled effect. We used I² statistics and Egger's test to assess heterogeneity and publication bias, respectively. This review was carried out in accordance with revised guidelines based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

RESULTS

The findings showed that iron therapy improved hemoglobin and ferritin levels, though the results varied across studies. An overall pooled effect estimate for the role of iron therapy in improving the hemoglobin levels among WRA was -0.71 (95% CI: -1.27 to -0.14) (p = 0.008). Likewise, the overall pooled effect estimate for the role of iron therapy in improving the ferritin levels among WRA was -0.76 (95% CI: -1.56 to 0.04) (p = 0.04). The heterogeneity (I²) across included studies was found to be statistically significant for studies assessing hemoglobin (Q = 746.93, I² = 97.59%, p = 0.000) and ferritin level (Q = 659.95, I² = 97.88%, p = 0.000).

CONCLUSION

Iron therapy in any form may reduce anemia's burden and improve hemoglobin and ferritin levels, indicating improvement in iron-deficiency anemia. More evidence is required, however, to assess the morbidity associated with iron consumption, such as side effects, work performance, economic outcomes, mental health, and adherence to the intervention, with a particular focus on married but non-pregnant women planning a pregnancy in the near future.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Registered with PROSPERO and ID is CRD42020185033.

Incidence of iron deficiency Anaemia during pregnancy in Far North Queensland

INTRODUCTION

The WHO estimates the incidence of iron deficiency anaemia in Australia is 25%. However there is considerable variation during pregnancy and in regional areas.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this investigation is to quantify the incidence of iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy within Far North Queensland.

DESIGN

This is a single-centre retrospective cohort study. Cairns Hospital is the main referral centre for complex maternity care in Far North Queensland with an estimated population of 280-000, which includes many people from rural and remote communities and a high proportion who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. This study included all births at the Cairns Hospital in 2018, a total of 2190 deliveries.

FINDINGS

The study randomly sampled 551 mothers from the cohort, and the incidence of iron deficiency anaemia was 34.9%. 48.7% of women who identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander within the region were anaemic. This was significantly higher than an incidence of 28.9% for the rest of the population. Other risk factors include booking appointment after 28-weeks, Asian ethnicity and age less than 25-years. A BMI greater than 35 was protective DISCUSSION: This study will inform antenatal care providers within the region and improve obstetric outcomes by increasing awareness. Identifying risk factors will also facilitate prompt treatment and improve maternity care for vulnerable patient groups. On a broader level, the study provides new data to inform population health estimates both nationally and internationally.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy in Far North Queensland is significantly higher than previous estimates.

Prevalence of Anemia among Children and Adolescents of Bangladesh: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The prevalence of anemia is high among children and adolescents in low- and middle-income countries because of undernutrition resulting from their poor socioeconomic status and lack of knowledge on proper nutrition. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the prevalence of anemia among children and adolescents aged between 6 months and 19 years in Bangladesh. Databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched to identify the studies that reported the prevalence of anemia among children and adolescents. A total of 24 studies, including the data of 14,062 cases, were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis of the time period between 1997 and 2019. The random-effects model was used to calculate the summary estimates. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021246960). The pooled prevalence of anemia, iron deficiency anemia (IDA), and non-severe and severe anemia were 46.8% [95% CI: 36.0-57.6], 13.6% [95% CI: 8.0-19.2], 56.4% [95% CI: 39.6-73.1] and 0.7% [95% CI: 0.1-1.4], respectively. Prevalence of anemia exhibited the highest among the children aged ≤2 years. Briefly, 91.67% of the studies were of high quality. No significant publication bias was found; however, two outlier studies were detected. The prevalence of anemia among children and adolescents was estimated as high in Bangladesh.

A Review of the Risk Factors for Iron Deficiency Anaemia among Adolescents in Developing Countries

Introduction

Identifying the root causes of iron deficiency anaemia is a prerequisite for effective management and prevention in adolescents. This systematic review assessed risk factors of iron deficiency anaemia among adolescents living in developing countries.

Method

Electronic databases such as PubMed, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and SCOPUS were comprehensively searched for studies published between 1990 and 2020 that involved risk factors of iron deficiency anaemia among adolescents living in developing countries. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the American Dietetic Association Quality Criteria Checklist.

Results

A total of 2,252 publications were reviewed, and only fifteen cross-sectional studies were eligible for inclusion, eight of which focused on female adolescents and seven on both genders. Direct risk factors contributing to anaemia among adolescents included food intake practices (n = 10 studies), female adolescents (n = 8 studies), menstruation (n = 5 studies), and parasitic infection (n = 6 studies). Indirect risk factors found to be associated with anaemia among adolescents included low educational status (n = 4 studies) and low socioeconomic status (n = 3 studies). All fifteen studies were of good quality.

Conclusion

Food intake practices, female adolescents, menstruation, parasitic infection, and low educational status were the leading risk factors of iron deficiency anaemia among adolescents. Further research should concentrate on assessing the effectiveness and efficacy of existing interventions aimed at preventing iron deficiency among vulnerable groups in developing countries.

Prevalence and determinants of anemia among children aged from 6 to 59 months in Liberia: a multilevel analysis of the 2019/20 Liberia demographic and health survey data

Background

Anemia is a serious worldwide public health issue that happens at any stage of life but primarily affects young kids and pregnant mothers. Although anemia has a significant impact on child health, its magnitude and associated factors in children aged 6-59 months have not been yet studied in Liberia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the prevalence and determinants of anemia in children aged 6-59 months in Liberia.

Methods

The data was extracted from Liberia Demographic and Health Survey, conducted from October 2019 to February 2020. The sample was obtained using a stratified two-stage cluster sampling technique. An overall weighted sample of 2,524 kids aged 6-59 months was involved in the final analysis. We used Stata version 14 software for data extraction and analysis. A multilevel logistic regression model was employed to identify factors associated with anemia. Variables with a P-value of <0.2 in the bivariable logistic regression analysis were selected as candidates for multivariable analysis. In multivariable analysis, the adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with the 95% confidence interval (CI) were declared as the determinants of anemia.

Results

The prevalence of anemia in children aged 6-59 months in Liberia was 70.8% [95% CI: 68.9%, 72.5%]. Of these, 3.4% were severe anemia, 38.3% were moderate anemia and 29.1% were mild anemia. Children aged 6-23 and 24-42 months, being stunted, children from households with unimproved toilet facilities, children from households with unimproved water sources, and lack of media (television) exposure were significantly associated with higher odds of anemia. However, using mosquito bed nets, living in the Northwestern and Northcentral region were significantly associated with lower odds of anemia among children 6-59 months.

Conclusion

In this study, anemia in kids aged 6-59 months in Liberia was a main public health issue. Age of the child, stunting, toilet facility, water source, exposure to television, mosquito bed net use, and region were significant determinants of anemia. Therefore, it is better to provide intervention for the early detection and management of stunted children. Similarly, interventions should be strengthened to address unimproved water sources, unimproved toilet facilities, and lack of media exposure.

RTS,S vaccination is associated with reduced parasitemia and anemia among children diagnosed with malaria in the outpatient department of a district hospital in rural Malawi

The RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine was recently approved by the World Health Organization, but real-world effectiveness is still being evaluated. We measured hemoglobin concentration and parasite density in vaccinated and unvaccinated children who had been diagnosed with malaria by rapid diagnostic test (mRDT) in the outpatient department of a rural hospital in Malawi. Considering all mRDT positive participants, the mean hemoglobin concentration among unvaccinated participants was 9.58 g/dL. There was improvement to 9.82 g/dL and 10.36 g/dL in the 1 or 2 dose group (p = 0.6) and the 3 or 4 dose group (p = 0.0007), respectively. Among a microscopy positive subset of participants, mean hemoglobin concentration of unvaccinated participants was 9.55 g/dL with improvement to 9.82 g/dL in the 1 or 2 dose group (p = 0.6) and 10.41 g/dL in the 3 or 4 dose group (p = 0.003). Mean parasite density also decreased from 115,154 parasites/μL in unvaccinated children to 87,754 parasites/μL in children who had received at least one dose of RTS,S (p = 0.04). In this study population, vaccination was associated with significant improvements in both hemoglobin concentration and parasite density in the setting of real-world administration of the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine.

Bayesian spatio-temporal modelling of child anemia in Ethiopia using conditional autoregressive model

Anemia is a common health problem for women and under five children in low income countries. According to the WHO, anemia is considered a serious public health problem when the prevalence is greater than 40%. The prevalence of anemia among children under five in Ethiopia changes over time, and is spatially correlated because it is influenced by environmental, socio-economic and other related factors. However, to our knowledge, there is no small area level estimates of anemia among children under five in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess zonal level estimates of anemia using a Bayesian spatio-temporal conditional autoregressive modeling approach. The data for the study was extracted from the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHS) from 2005 to 2016. A sample of 18,939 children aged 6-59 months were considered for this study. A Bayesian spatio-temporal conditional autoregressive model was implemented to identify the risk of child anemia. Smoothed relative risks along with the 95% credible interval were reported. The queen's adjacency matrix method was used in spatial smoothing and in estimating the relative risk. The prevalence of anemia among children aged 6-59 months in Ethiopia was 54% in 2005, 44% in 2011 and 57% in 2016. This study showed that low maternal education, low socio-economic status of women, and maternal anemia at zone level were strongly associated with child anemia in Ethiopia. Therefore, enhancing education for women, improving women's socioeconomic status, and mitigating maternal anemia are crucial to reduce the prevalence of childhood anemia in Ethiopia.

Impact of Agricultural Irrigation on Anemia in Western Kenya

Expanding agricultural irrigation efforts to enhance food security and socioeconomic development in sub-Saharan Africa may affect malaria transmission and socioeconomic variables that increase the risk of anemia in local communities. We compared the prevalence of anemia, Plasmodium falciparum infection, and indicators of socioeconomic status related to nutrition in communities in Homa Bay County, Kenya, where an agricultural irrigation scheme has been implemented, to that in nearby communities where there is no agricultural irrigation. Cross-sectional surveys conducted showed that anemia prevalence defined by WHO criteria (hemoglobin < 11 g/dL) was less in communities in the irrigated areas than in the non-irrigated areas during the wet season (38.9% and 51.5%, χ2 = 4.29, P = 0.001) and the dry season (25.2% and 34.1%, χ2 = 7.33, P = 0.007). In contrast, Plasmodium falciparum infection prevalence was greater during the wet season in irrigated areas than in non-irrigated areas (15.3% versus 7.8%, χ2 = 8.7, P = 0.003). There was, however, no difference during the dry season (infection prevalence, < 1.8%). Indicators of nutritional status pertinent to anemia pathogenesis such as weekly consumption of non-heme- and heme-containing foods and household income were greater in communities located within the irrigation scheme versus those outside the irrigation scheme (P < 0.0001). These data indicate that current agricultural irrigation schemes in malaria-endemic communities in this area have reduced the risk of anemia. Future studies should include diagnostic tests of iron deficiency, parasitic worm infections, and genetic hemoglobin disorders to inform public health interventions aimed at reducing community anemia burden.

Effect of change in individual and household level characteristics on anemia prevalence among adolescent boys and girls in India

Background

Anemia is a significant public health challenge that affects the population of all nations. Anemia among adolescents emerged as an alarming public health issue as it harms an individual’s physical capacity and cognitive and work performance. The study aims to determine the effect of changes in individual and household level factors on the prevalence of anemia among adolescent boys and girls.

Method

The study utilized data from two waves of the “Understanding the lives of adolescent and young adults” (UDAYA) survey, conducted in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh during 2015–16 (wave-1) and 2018–19 (wave-2). The sample size for the present study was 4216 and 5974 unmarried adolescent boys and girls aged 10–19 years in both waves. We performed descriptive analysis to observe the characteristics of adolescents during 2015–16. Further, changes in selected independent variables from wave-1 to wave-2 were examined using the proportion test. Moreover, random-effect regression models were employed to examine the association of changes in individual and household level factors with anemia prevalence among adolescents.

Results

The prevalence of anemia decreased over time among adolescent boys (33 to 30%), whereas it increased among adolescent girls (59 to 63%). The results from the random-effect model show that adolescent boys who used shared toilets were more anemic than those who used a private restroom [β:0.05, 95% CI:(0.01, 0.08)]. Moreover, underweight [β:0.05, CI:(0.01, 0.09)] and thin [β:0.04, CI:(0.00, 0.07)] adolescent boys were more likely to be anemic compared to their normal counterparts. Additionally, boys who belonged to the poorest [β:0.08, CI:(0.02, 0.14)] households had a higher risk of anemia than the richest household.

Conclusion

The anemia prevalence was higher among adolescents aged 10–19 years in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. This study has filled an information gap by providing state-level representative estimates indicating underweight status and thinness as the common factors behind the anemia prevalence among adolescent boys than in girls. Iron deficiency anemia is the most prevalent in certain age groups in India. Hence, Anemia prevention efforts and iron-folic acid (IFA) supplementation programs are currently being strengthened in India, targeting the high-risk population.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-13863-w.

Deep-Learning-Based Hemoglobin Concentration Prediction and Anemia Screening Using Ultra-Wide Field Fundus Images

Background: Anemia is the most common hematological disorder. The purpose of this study was to establish and validate a deep-learning model to predict Hgb concentrations and screen anemia using ultra-wide-field (UWF) fundus images.

Methods: The study was conducted at Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Optos color images taken between January 2017 and June 2021 were screened for building the dataset. ASModel_UWF using UWF images was developed. Mean absolute error (MAE) and area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) were used to evaluate its performance. Saliency maps were generated to make the visual explanation of the model.

Results: ASModel_UWF acquired the MAE of the prediction task of 0.83 g/dl (95%CI: 0.81–0.85 g/dl) and the AUC of the screening task of 0.93 (95%CI: 0.92–0.95). Compared with other screening approaches, it achieved the best performance of AUC and sensitivity when the test dataset size was larger than 1000. The model tended to focus on the area around the optic disc, retinal vessels, and some regions located at the peripheral area of the retina, which were undetected by non-UWF imaging.

Conclusion: The deep-learning model ASModel_UWF could both predict Hgb concentration and screen anemia in a non-invasive and accurate way with high efficiency.

Single and mixed effects of prenatal exposure to multiple bisphenols on hemoglobin levels and the risk of anemia in pregnant women

INTRODUCTION

Bisphenols have endocrine-disrupting effects, which may disrupt hemoglobin (Hb) homeostasis and lead to anemia. However, the effects of bisphenols on anemia remain unknown. Therefore, we assessed the effects of single- and multiple-exposure to bisphenols on Hb levels and anemia of pregnant women.

METHODS

The study involved 2035 pregnant women from Guangxi Zhuang Birth Cohort in China. Generalized linear regression, principal component analysis (PCA), quantile g-computation (Qgcomp), and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) were performed to examine the effects of serum bisphenols on Hb levels and the risk of anemia.

RESULTS

After adjustment, elevated bisphenol A (BPA) levels were correlated with decreased Hb concentrations (β = -0.51; 95%CI: -0.92, -0.10) in the first trimester, and these correlations were more sensitive in mothers of males. Compared with the low-exposure group, bisphenol B (BPB) levels in the high-exposure group led to a 1.52 g/L (95%CI: -3.01, -0.03) decrease in Hb levels in the second trimester; tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) levels in the high-exposure group led to a higher the risk of anemia in the third trimester (OR = 1.46; 95%CI: 1.07, 1.99); bisphenol F (BPF) in the high-exposure group led to lower Hb levels (β = -2.42; 95%CI:-4.69, -0.14) in mothers of male fetuses in the third trimester. Qgcomp showed that elevated levels of bisphenol mixture was correlated with (β = -1.42; 95%CI: -2.61, -0.24) decrease in Hb levels in the second trimester. PCA revealed a negative association between PC2 and Hb levels in the first trimester (β = -0.89; 95%CI: -1.61, -0.17). Similarly, a negative relationship was observed between PC1 and Hb levels in the third trimester among mothers with male fetuses (β = -1.00; 95%CI: -1.94, -0.06).

CONCLUSIONS

Prenatal exposure to single and mixed bisphenols may decrease Hb levels and increase the risk of anemia during pregnancy, the associations may be greater in mothers with male fetuses than those with female fetuses.

Transfusion Complications in Thalassemia: Patient Knowledge and Perspectives

Chronic transfusion, used to manage clinically significant forms of thalassemia, carries complication risks including iron overload, alloimmunization, and allergic or hemolytic reactions. Dissemination and implementation of evidence-based guidelines for minimizing these risks are complicated by the small numbers and increasing dispersion of the thalassemia population. This elevates patients' role in understanding and communicating with providers about treatment. The present study sought to assess thalassemia patients' knowledge of transfusion, complications, and guidelines; their experience of clinicians' following guidelines; and their perspectives on ways to store and share personal transfusion data. A convenience sample of 32 patients participated in structured interviews. Most, if not all, understood iron overload, chelation therapy, blood typing, and cross-matching. Awareness of each of five of evidence-based transfusion guidelines that were discussed ranged from 72 to 88%. Patients expressed privacy concerns about each of three data storage options, slightly less for a registry than for a wallet card or smartphone app. The registry also avoided concerns that the other options placed extra burden on patients. Recommendations include increased education on the meaning and significance of packed, washed red blood cells, leuko-reduction, and detailed cross-matching, and implementation of a nationwide registry to make transfusion data available to providers anywhere at the point of care. Registry implementation should be sensitive to patients' privacy and security concerns, but also help them appropriately weigh those against safety benefits. These actions could help reduce transfusion complications in thalassemia by improving patient efficacy and increasing adherence to evidence-based guidelines.

Joint modelling of anaemia and stunting in children less than five years of age in Lesotho: a cross-sectional case study

BACKGROUND

 Anaemia and stunting remain jointly a serious health issue worldwide especially in developing countries. In Lesotho, their prevalence is high, particularly among children less than 5 years of age.

OBJECTIVES

 The primary objective was to determine the association between anaemia and stunting, and identify factors relating to both conditions among children younger than 5 years in Lesotho.

METHODS

 This cross-sectional study used secondary data from 3112 children collected during the 2014 Lesotho Demographic Health Survey (LDHS). Haemoglobin (Hb) levels were adjusted for altitude and a level less than 11 g per deciliters (11 g/dl) was determined as the cutoff for being anaemic. A child with the height-for-age z score (HAZ) below minus two standard deviations (SD) was considered to have stunting. We linked factors relating to anaemia and stunting using a multivariate joint model under the scope of the generalized linear mixed model (GLMM).

RESULTS

The prevalence of anaemia and stunting in children younger than 5 years were 51% and 43% respectively. The multivariate results revealed a strong association between anaemia and stunting. In addition, maternal education, urban vs. rural residence, wealth index and childbirth weight significantly impacted childhood stunting or malnutrition, while having fever and/or diarrhoea was linked to anaemia. Lastly, age was shown to have a significant effect on both stunting and anaemia.

CONCLUSION

Anaemia and stunting or malnutrition showed linked longitudinal trajectories, suggesting both conditions could lead to synergetic improvements in overall child health. Demographic, socio-economic, and geographical characteristics were also important drivers of stunting and anaemia in children younger than 5 years. Thus, children living in similar resources settings as Lesotho could benefit from coordinated programs designed to address both malnutrition and anaemia.

Prevalence of Anemia Among Children and Adolescents in Rural Area of Khulais in Saudi Arabia

Introduction

The decreased absolute circulating red blood cell count or the inability of red blood cells to meet physiological needs is called anemia. Anemia can affect mental health, learning capacity, and the ability to concentrate. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of anemia among children and adolescents living in the rural areas of Khulais, Saudi Arabia.

Methods

This cross-sectional study including 417 individuals was conducted at Khulais Hospital in the rural areas in Saudi Arabia to estimate the prevalence of anemia among children and adolescents. The inclusion criterion for the study was that participants must be Saudi citizens. Data for this study were collected in March 2021. The age of the children ranged from 7 to 11 years, whereas that of adolescent males and females was between 12 and 18 years.

Results

In total, the study included 147 male adolescents, 123 female adolescents, and 147 children participants. The overall prevalence of anemia among adolescents was high (39.1%). The prevalence of anemia was 44.9% (66/147), 46.3% (57/123), and 27.2% (40/147) in male adolescents (age 12-18 years), female adolescents (age 12-18 years), and children (age 7-11 years), respectively. Statistical analysis revealed an association between the prevalence of anemia and the increasing age of participants from rural areas.

Conclusion

The present study results indicate that the prevalence of anemia in the rural areas of Saudi Arabia is high. The high prevalence can be explained by several factors, such as parents’ low socioeconomic status and living in rural areas, which limits the availability as well as different types of nutritious food and thereby negatively affects the nutritional status of such children and adolescents.

Anemia prevalence, severity, types, and correlates among adult women and men in a multiethnic Iranian population: the Khuzestan Comprehensive Health Study (KCHS)

BACKGROUND

Despite all recent health-related improvements, anemia remains an extensive global public health issue affecting the lives of about one-fourth of the world population in a geographically heterogeneous pattern. We, therefore, aimed to illustrate the prevalence, severity, most common types, and major determinants of anemia among adults in Khuzestan, Iran, from 2016 to 2019.

METHODS

In a large population-based cross-sectional study comprising of a diverse population, each participant underwent a questionnaire-based interview and laboratory testing for hematological analysis. A hemoglobin (HGB) concentration of < 12 g/dL in non-pregnant women and < 13 g/dL in men were defined anemic. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the association between anemia and its potential determinants.

RESULTS

Data on 29,550 (96.87%) males and non-pregnant females between 20-65 years of age (mean age: 41.90 ± 11.88 years; female sex: 63.58%; Arab ethnicity: 48.65%), whose HGB level was available, were included in the study. The mean ± SD HGB concentration was 13.75 ± 1.65 g/dL. The age- and sex-standardized prevalence rate of anemia was 10.86% (95% CI: 10.51-11.23%). The most prevalent degree was mild anemia (7.71%, 95% CI: 7.40-8.03%) and only 0.17% were severely anemic. Of those considered anemic, the highest proportion was related to normochromic/microcytic (50.65%), followed by hypochromic/microcytic (30.29%). In the multiple logistic regression, the parameters of female gender (OR: 3.17, 95% CI: 2.68-3.76), age group of 35-49 years (OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.52-1.82), being underweight (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.29-1.93), being unemployed or retired (OR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.33-1.81), and living in urban areas (OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.09-1.29) were major determinants of anemia. Additionally, we observed a minor but significant positive association between anemia status and CKD, older ages, increased night sleep duration, being a housewife and married, as well as a negative association between anemia and factors including hookah smoking, presence of metabolic syndrome, and overweight and obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, the anemia prevalence in this study population was of mild public health significance. The major suspected causes might be iron deficiency and chronic disease anemias. Comparably higher rates of anemia were observed amongst women, individuals aged 35-49 years, underweights, unemployed or retired subjects, and urban residents.

Ficus glumosa Del. reduces phenylhydrazine-induced hemolytic anaemia and hepatic damage in Wistar rats

OBJECTIVES

Anemia is a direct or indirect consequence of oxidative stress via free radicals on erythrocytes and subsequently on other tissues like liver. Ficus glumosa constitute a rich pharmacologically compound that can prevent or repair oxidative damage. Therefore, this study seeks to evaluate the effect of F. glumosa on phenylhydrazine-induced hemolytic anemia and hepatic damage in rats.

METHODS

Twenty-four (24) albino Wistar rats were assigned to four (4) experimental groups (n=6) as follows: Group I (non-anemic control) and Group 2 (anemic control) received normal saline, while Group III and IV (test groups) 200 and 400 mg/kg of aqueous leaf extract of F. glumosa (ALEFG), respectively. All the groups were treated orally (via a cannula) for seven consecutive days. Intraperitoneal (IP) injection of phenylhydrazine (PHZ) at 40 mg/kg for two consecutive days induced hemolytic anemia in group II to IV before treatment. Rats of all groups were anaesthetized and sacrificed 24 h after the last treatment. Blood and liver samples were collected for some hematological indices, liver function test, antioxidant parameter and histological analysis.

RESULTS

The LD₅₀ of ALEFG was assessed orally in rats and found to be above 5,000 mg/kg body weight. Significant (p<0.05) decreases in the level of red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB) concentrations and packed cell volume (PCV) by 50% after 2 days of PHZ induction, were attenuated by more than 50% after 7 days administration of ALEFG at 200 and 400 mg/kg. The percentage change in body weight increased significantly (p<0.05) after 7 days post PHZ-induced anemia, but those that received oral administration of ALEFG (at 200 and 400 mg/kg) for 7 days increased significantly (p<0.05) by more than 2%, dose-dependently compared to anemic untreated group. Increased level of serum ALT, AST, ALP and GGT in PHZ-induced anemic animals, were significantly (p<0.05) attenuated in the groups that received oral administration of ALEFG (at 200 and 400 mg/kg) for 7 days. Decreased level of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities with concomitant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) content from PHZ-induced untreated group, were significantly (p<0.05) mitigated in the rats that received oral administration of ALEFG (at 200 and 400 mg/kg) for 7 days. Histopathological analysis showed that ALEFG could remarkably though not completely mitigated PHZ-induced hepatic damage.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggests that the leaves of F. glumosa contain important antioxidant(s) that could effectively reduce hemolytic anemia and hepatic damage, especially during phenylhydrazine-induced toxicity.

Geographic weighted regression analysis of hot spots of anemia and its associated factors among children aged 6-59 months in Ethiopia: A geographic weighted regression analysis and multilevel robust Poisson regression analysis

INTRODUCTION

Anemia among children aged 6-59 months remains a major public health problem in low-and high-income countries including Ethiopia. Anemia is associated with significant consequences on the health of children such as under-five morbidity and mortality, increased risk of infection, and poor academic performance. The prevalence of anemia in Ethiopia has varied across areas. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the geographic weighted regression analysis of anemia and its associated factors among children aged 6-59 months in Ethiopia.

METHODS

This study was based on the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) data. A total weighted sample of 8482 children aged 6-59 months was included. For the spatial analysis, Arc-GIS version 10.7 and SaTScan version 9.6 statistical software were used. Spatial regression was done to identify factors associated with the hotspots of anemia and model comparison was based on adjusted R2 and Corrected Akaike Information Criteria (AICc). For the associated factors, the multilevel robust Poisson regression was fitted since the prevalence of anemia was greater than 10%. Variables with a p-value < 0.2 in the bi-variable analysis were considered for the multivariable analysis. In the multivariable multilevel robust Poisson regression analysis, the adjusted prevalence ratio with the 95% confidence interval was reported to declare the statistical significance and strength of association.

RESULTS

The prevalence of anemia among children aged 6-59 months was 57.56% (95%CI: 56.50%, 58.61%) with significant spatial variation across regions in Ethiopia. The significant hot spot areas of anemia among children aged 6-59 months were detected in the central, west, and east Afar, Somali, Dire Dawa, Harari, and northwest Gambella regions. Mothers who had anemia, a child aged 23-59 months, mothers aged 15-19 years, and coming from a household with a poorer or poorest household were significant predictors of the spatial variations of anemia among children aged 6-59 months. In the multilevel robust Poisson analysis, born to mothers aged 30-39 (APR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.76, 0.92) and 40-49 years (APR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.65, 0.83), mothers who didn't have formal education (APR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.20), Children in the poorest household wealth index (APR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.29), being 4-6 (APR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.13) and above 6 order of birth (APR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.23), children born to anemic mothers (APR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.19, 1.29), children aged 24-59 months (APR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.68, 0.73), stunted children (APR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.13) and underweight children (APR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.13) were significantly associated with anemia among children aged 6-59 months.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Anemia is still a public health problem for children in Ethiopia. Residing in a geographic area where a high proportion of children born to mothers aged 15-19 years, a child aged 6-23 months, coming from a household with poorer or poorest wealth index, and mothers with anemia increased the risk of experiencing anemia among children aged 6-59 months. Maternal education, maternal age, child age, household wealth, stunting, underweight, birth order, and maternal anemia were significant predictors of anemia among children. The detailed map of anemia hot spots among children aged 6-59 months and its predictors could assist program planners and decision-makers to design targeted public health interventions.

Socio-economic predictors of undernutrition and anaemia in adolescent mothers in West and Central Africa

BACKGROUND

Adolescence is a formative period when an individual acquires physical, cognitive, emotional, and social resources that are the foundation for later life, health, and well-being [1]. However, in West and Central African region, this trajectory is curtailed by early childbearing associated with an increased risk of undernutrition and anemia. Evidence on socio-economic determinants of anemia and undernutrition in adolescent mothers is limited. This paper aims to shed some light on this issue and, more specifically, assess the socio-economic determinants of anemia among childbearing adolescents in the region.

METHODS

For this observational study, we pooled data from all Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted in countries in West and Central Africa region between 1986 and 2017. Outcomes were undernutrition and anemia in adolescent mothers. Predictors were education, wealth, place of residence (rural/urban), and religion. Descriptive statistics were calculated using survey weights for individual surveys and in the pooled sample each country was additionally weighted with its population share. We estimated multiple regression models with and without primary sampling unit fixed effects for both outcomes. All regressions were linear probability models.

RESULTS

Having no formal education was the strongest predictor for both anemia and undernutrition. Belonging to the richest asset quintile was also associated with lower anemia and undernutrition prevalence in some specifications. While urban location of the mother was positively associated with anemia, there was no association with undernutrition.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, having any formal education emerged as a sole strong predictor of reduced adolescent maternal undernutrition and anemia. Promotion of female education can potentially serve as a high-impact intervention to improve adolescent girls' health in the region. However, we cannot make conclusions about its causal impact based on this study alone.

Magnitudes of Anemia and Its Determinant Factors Among Lactating Mothers in East African Countries: Using the Generalized Mixed-Effect Model

Background: The number of studies on the magnitude of anemia and its determinant factors among lactating mothers is limited in East African countries regardless of its multivariate consequences. Even though few studies were conducted on the magnitude of anemia and its determinants, most of them focused on the country level and different parts of countries. Therefore, the current study is aimed to determine the magnitude of anemia and determinant factors among lactating mothers in East African countries. Methods: From nine East African countries, a total weighted sample of 25,425 lactating mothers was included in the study. Determinate factors of anemia were identified using generalized linear mixed models (GLMM). Variables with a p < 0.05 in the final GLMM model were stated to confirm significant association with anemia. Result: The magnitude of anemia in East African countries was found to be 36.5% [95% confidence interval (CI): 35.55%, 36.75%]. Besides, as for the generalized linear mixed-effect model, age, educational status, working status, country of residence, wealth index, antenatal care service, place of delivery, history of using family planning in a health facility, current pregnancy, and visited by fieldworker in the last 12 months were factors that have a significant association with anemia in lactating mothers. Conclusion: In East Africa, more than one-third of lactating mothers have anemia. The odds of anemia were significantly low among young mothers (15-34), who had primary education, were working, country of residence, and higher wealth index (middle and high). In addition, the likelihood of anemia was also low among lactating mothers who had antenatal care, used family planning, delivered at a health facility, were pregnant during the survey, and visited by fieldworkers. Therefore, promoting maternal care services (family planning, Antenatal Care (ANC), and delivery at health facilities) and a field visit by health extension workers are strongly recommended.

Parity-based assessment of anemia and iron deficiency in pregnant women

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to separately evaluate the prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency in nulliparous and multiparous women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively examined data of women who delivered in our clinic from January 2016 to December 2018. Inclusion criteria were delivery occurring at ≥36 weeks and singleton pregnancy. Pregnant women with severe medical disorders were excluded. We estimated complete blood count (CBC) and serum ferritin (SF) in the first trimester and only CBC in the late second trimester. Data of nulliparas and multiparas were analyzed separately. Statistically significance was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Totally, 481 nulliparas and 603 and multiparas were enrolled. Mean hemoglobin values in the first trimester were 12.6 ± 1.0 and 12.4 ± 1.0 g/dl (p < 0.001), while median SF values were 42.7 (12.2, 108.2) and 27.7 (8.0, 72.6) ng/ml (p < 0.001) in nulliparas and multiparas, respectively. Hemoglobin in the late second trimester was 11.2 ± 0.9 and 10.7 ± 1.0 g/dl (p < 0.001) in nulliparas and multiparas, respectively. Low ferritin levels (SF < 12 ng/ml) were more frequently found in multiparas than in nulliparas (111/603 vs. 46/481, p < 0.001, Odds ratio [OR] = 2.13). Anemia in the first trimester (hemoglobin<11.0 g/dl) was found in 3.5% (17/481) and 8.8% (53/603) (p < 0.001; OR, 2.63), while that in late second trimester (hemoglobin<10.5) was observed in 21.0% (101/481) and 36.3% (219/603) (p < 0.001, OR = 2.15) nulliparas and multiparas, respectively. Non-anemic women (hemoglobin level ≥11.0) with low ferritin levels (SF < 12 ng/ml) in the first trimester showed higher rate of anemia development in the second trimester than those with both normal hemoglobin and ferritin levels, irrespective of parity (51.3% [19/37] vs. 16.2% [69/427], p < 0.001 in nulliparas and 76.9% [60/78] vs. 26.5% [125/472], p < 0.001 in multiparas].

CONCLUSION

Anemia and low SF levels occurred more commonly in multiparous than in nulliparas. Further, low SF was a risk factor for anemia development in later pregnancy.

Temporal Relation between Double Fortification of Wheat Flour with Iron and Folic Acid, and Markers and Prevalence of Anemia in Children

Fortification of wheat flour with iron and folic acid became mandatory in Ivory Coast in 2007. The purpose of this study was to determine the time trend relation between mandatory double fortification of wheat flour with iron and folic acid and markers and prevalence of anemia by comparing the data between pre- and post-fortification periods in Ivory Coast children. Data were derived from the pediatric unit of the University Hospital of Treichville, Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Medical records of 467 children from 5 to 14 years old were analyzed from the years 2004 through 2010. Periods from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2006 and 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2010 were considered as pre- and post-fortification periods, respectively. Data on hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell count (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and anemia between pre- and post-fortification periods were compared. There were no significant differences in hemoglobin, hematocrit, RBC, and prevalence of anemia between pre- and post-fortification periods. However, MCV in post-fortification period was significantly higher compared to pre-fortification period in all subjects (77.6 fL vs. 76.8 fL; p = 0.02) and in young girls (79.1 fL vs. 75.2 fL; p = 0.01). Lack of significant differences in anemia and in markers of anemia between pre- and post-fortification periods need further investigation in children of Ivory Coast.

Perceptions of women, their husbands and healthcare providers about anemia in rural Pakistan: Findings from a qualitative exploratory study

BACKGROUND

In Pakistan, there is a dearth of literature on the perceptions of anemia among women of reproductive age (WRA). This study was undertaken to explore the perceptions of women, their husbands, and healthcare providers about anemia, its possible causes, and how anemia impacts maternal and child health in Thatta, Pakistan.

METHODS

A qualitative study was conducted in Thatta, Pakistan from September to December 2018. Using a pre-tested semi-structured interview (SSI), we collected data to understand their definitions of anemia through ten focus group discussions (FGDs) with women and their partners and ten primary informant interviews (KIIs) with healthcare providers. We identified six major themes: (I) Knowledge and awareness of anemia, (II) Causes and consequences of Anemia, (III) Dietary practices, (IV) Knowledge and practices regarding the use of iron-folic acid supplements, (V) Factors influencing prevention and control of anemia and (VI) Women's health behavior. We analyzed the data through thematic analysis using NVivo 10 software.

RESULTS

Most community members were not aware of the term anemia but described anemia as a condition characterized by 'blood deficiency' in the body. All study participants perceived anemia as an important health problem tending to cause adverse outcomes among WRA and their children. Study participants perceived gutka (chewable tobacco) consumption as an important cause of anemia. Healthcare providers identified short inter-pregnancy intervals, lack of family planning, poor health-seeking behavior, and consumption of unhealthy food as causes of anemia in the district. Consumption of unhealthy food might not be related to related to a poorer knowledge of iron-deficient foods, but economic constraints. This was further endorsed by the healthcare providers who mentioned that most women were too poor to afford iron-rich foods. All men and women were generally well versed with the sources of good nutrition to be consumed by WRA to prevent anemia.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that the government should plan to develop strategies for poverty-stricken and vulnerable rural women and plan health awareness programs to improve dietary practices, compliance with supplements, and health-seeking behavior among women of reproductive age. There is a need to develop effective counseling strategies and context-specific health education sessions to improve the health-seeking behavior of women and men in the Thatta district of Pakistan. Besides, there is need to address social determinants of health such as poverty that pushes women of poorer socioeconomic strata to eat less nutritious foods and have more anaemia. Therefore, a comprehensive and robust strategic plan need to be adopted by government that focuses not only on the awareness programs, but also aim to reduce inequities that lead to pregnant women eat iron-poor foods, which, in turn, forces them to become anemic.

Prevalence and determinants of severity levels of anemia among children aged 6-59 months in sub-Saharan Africa: A multilevel ordinal logistic regression analysis

BACKGROUND

Anemia is a major public health problem affecting more than half of children under the age of five globally. It has serious short- and long-term consequences including growth retardation, impaired motor and cognitive development, and increased morbidity and mortality. Despite anemia is the leading cause of child mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, there is limited evidence on the prevalence and determinants of anemia among under-five children in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence and determinants of severity levels of anemia among children aged 6-59 months in sub-Saharan Africa.

METHODS

This study was based on the most recent Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data of 32 sub-Saharan African countries. A total weighted sample of 135,619 children aged 6-59 months was included in the study. Considering the hierarchical nature of DHS data and the ordinal nature of anemia, a multilevel ordinal logistic regression model was applied. Proportional odds assumption was tested by Brant test and it was satisfied (p-value = 0.091). Besides, deviance was used for model comparison. Variables with a p-value ≤0.2 in the bivariable analysis were considered for the multivariable analysis. In the multivariable multilevel proportional odds model, the Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) were reported for potential determinant factors of severity levels of anemia.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of anemia among children aged 6-59 months in sub-Saharan Africa was 64.1% [95% CI: 63.9%, 64.4%]. Of which, 26.2% were mildly anemic, 34.9% moderately anemic and 3% severely anemic. Poor maternal education, lower household wealth status, large family size, being male child, multiple births, having fever in the last two weeks, having diarrhea in the last two weeks, higher-order birth, maternal anemia, underweight, wasted, and stunted were significantly associated with increased odds of higher levels of anemia. Whereas, being 24-59 months age, taking drugs for an intestinal parasite, and born from mothers aged ≥ 20 years were significantly associated with lower odds of higher levels of anemia.

CONCLUSION

Severity levels of anemia among children aged 6-59 months in sub-Saharan Africa was a major public health problem. Enhancing maternal education, providing drugs for an intestinal parasite, designing interventions that address maternal anemia, febrile illness, and diarrheal disease, and strengthening the economic status of the family are recommended to reduce childhood anemia. Furthermore, it is better to strengthen the strategies of early detection and management of stunted, wasted, and underweight children to decrease childhood anemia.

Attitude changes in prescribing intravenous iron supplementation in different settings at a hospital consortium in Italy

BACKGROUND

Iron deficiency anaemia is a public health problem. In case oral iron treatment is ineffective, poorly tolerated or contraindicated, the intravenous route becomes the first choice. The aim of the study was to evaluate the shift between ferrous gluconate (FG) and ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) usage at our hospitals over the years. We also performed a cost comparison between pre and post-FCM availability periods, taking into account the acquisition costs of both intravenous iron and red blood cell units (PRBC).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The amount and costs of FG and FCM released by hospital Pharmacy Services from 2010 to 2019 were analysed, along with the number of transfused PRBC units in the same timeframe.

RESULTS

Overall, the proportion of FCM usage rose from 8.6 % in 2014 to 71.9 % in 2019, as percentage of total intravenous iron released. After exclusion of haemodialysis, where FG is still widely used, the FCM use in the last four years raised from 12.9% to 92.5%. Despite the higher FCM cost, the mean yearly expenditure for intravenous iron plus PRBC units did not differ between pre- and post-FCM eras (2010-2013, € 2,396,876 € versus 2014-2019, € 2,307,875 - p = 0.234), as a result of a net decrease of PRBC usage, namely from 15,083 to 12,654 (-16.1 %), respectively.

DISCUSSION

Intravenous iron has a major role in treating iron deficiency anaemia in several settings. Third generation compounds are paving the way to more updated and safer treatments.

Associations of maternal characteristics and dietary factors with anemia and iron-deficiency in pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

Anemia and iron deficiency during pregnancy influence maternal and fetal health, birth outcomes, and the risk of chronic disease in offspring. This study aimed to examine the association with sociodemographic, maternal factors, supplement use and dietary intakes, and anemia and iron deficiency in pregnancy.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 165 pregnant women aged between 19 and 45 years who were interviewed, and dietary intake was assessed by 24-hours dietary recall, supplement records and food frequency questionnaire. Learning Vector Quantization feature selection method which is one of the machine learning techniques was used to extract important variables from sociodemographic, maternal, and dietary factors.

RESULTS

The prevalence of anemia was 15.2% and prevalence of iron deficiency was 65.5%. Total intake of iron, phosphorus, vitamin B₁ and B₂ were importance factors for iron deficiency while age, number of births, use of folic acid supplement, dietary folate equivalent and total iron intake were importance factors for anemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal and dietary characteristics were the most crucial risk factors for anemia while dietary factors were the most important risk factor for iron deficiency in pregnancy. The development of anemia and iron deficiency is associated with the coexistence of many nutrient deficiencies.

Gut Microbiota Signatures in Gestational Anemia

Gestational diseases are associated with altered intestinal microbiota in pregnant women. Characterizing the gut microbiota of gestational anemia (GA) may describe a novel role of gut microbial abnormality in GA. In this study, we investigated differences in gut microbiota between GA patients and healthy pregnant women from the first trimester (n = 24 vs. 54) and the third trimester (n = 30 vs. 56) based on the 16S rRNA gene sequencing method. No statistically significant differences in α-diversity were identified between GA patients and controls in the first trimester of pregnancy, whereas the Shannon index and observed OTUs were significantly lower in GA patients than in healthy controls in the third trimester. Distance-based redundancy analysis revealed striking differences in microbial communities in the third trimester between GA patients and controls. Four genera were significantly different in relative abundance between GA patients and healthy controls, while 12 genera differentiated significantly between GA patients and healthy controls in the third trimester. At the operational taxonomic unit (OTU) level, 17 OTUs and 30 OTUs were identified to be different between GA patients and healthy controls in the first and third trimesters, respectively. Changes in gut microbial composition of GA patients suggest a potential relation with GA, and provide insights into the prediction and intervention of gestational anemia.

Dietary Iron Intakes in Men in Europe Are Distinctly Above the Recommendations: A Review of 39 National Studies From 20 Countries in the Period 1995 - 2016

The objective of this review was to assess whether dietary iron intake in men in Europe is in symphony with the dietary recommendations. A literature search of national dietary surveys reporting the intake of iron using PubMed, Google Scholar, National Nutrient Databases and previous literature on dietary reviews was performed. The subjects were men aged 18 - 70 years. A total of 39 national dietary surveys in 20 European countries in the period 1995 - 2016 were included. There were considerable differences between median/mean iron dietary intake in the 20 countries. Seven countries/regions, UK-Northern Ireland, UK-Wales, Sweden, Belgium, UK-Scotland, UK-England and Serbia reported median/mean iron intake ranging from 10.5 to 11.6 mg/day. Ten countries, Norway, Finland, Lithuania, Italy, Hungary, Portugal, The Netherlands, Denmark, Iceland and Austria reported iron intake from 12.0 to 13.5 mg/day. France, Germany, Ireland and Spain reported iron intake from 14.8 to 16.0 mg/day, while Poland and Slovakia reported the highest intake of 17.2 and 22.7 mg/day. In surveys from France and The Netherlands, intake of heme iron constituted 11% of total dietary iron intake. Nutrient density for iron, reported in five countries, varied from median 11.6 mg iron/10 MJ in Denmark to 16.0 in France. In all countries, the majority of men had a dietary iron intake markedly above a recommended intake of 9 mg/day. In Europe, 75-87% of men have a dietary iron intake above 9 mg/day. A high iron intake together with relatively high intakes of meat and alcohol contributes to a high iron status and a high frequency of body iron overload in many men. We need consensus on common European standardized dietary methods, uniform dietary reference values and uniform statistical methods to perform inter-country comparisons.

Anaemia prevalence and dietary diversity among women in the rural Free State, South Africa

Background

Anaemia, a global public health problem that particularly affects women, holds major consequences for human health.

Aim

Determining dietary diversity, prevalence of anaemia and contraception use.

Setting

Rural women, 25–49 years, in the Free State Province, South Africa.

Methods

In a cross-sectional descriptive quantitative study, dietary diversity was determined with a 24-h recall; biochemical markers of anaemia, iron deficiency and inflammation were measured; and contraceptive use was recorded.

Results

Of 134 women (median age 41 years), 51.5% had medium, and 44.8% had low dietary diversity. Overall, 76.9% consumed flesh meats and fish, but only 25.4% ate dark green leafy vegetables. Anaemia was present in 4.6%; 1.5% presented with iron deficiency; and 0.7% presented with iron deficiency anaemia, evidenced by low ferritin levels. However, 45.0% had elevated C-reactive protein (CRP). Overall, 7.5% presented with elevated homocysteine levels, but only 3.8% had low red cell folate levels. More than half (54.1%) reported menstruating regularly and 71.6% used injectable contraceptives. Significant associations were found between median mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and dietary diversity score.

Conclusions

Although the prevalence of anaemia is low in this population, elevated CRP in almost half indicates that inflammation may mask iron deficiency. The older median age of the sample and approximately half of the women not menstruating regularly may also contribute to the low anaemia prevalence. Attention should be given to the women’s diets as almost half consume diets of low diversity, and not all consume foods rich in haemopoietic nutrients.

Prevalence and determinants of anemia among women of reproductive age in Thatta Pakistan: Findings from a cross-sectional study

Background

Anemia is a major public health concern among women of reproductive age leading to high maternal mortality in low- and middle-income countries. Of the prior studies conducted in Pakistan, most focused on large urban areas and did not explore the determinants of anemia among women of reproductive age (WRA) across socio-demographic, dietary, reproductive, and biological domains. Thus, we aimed to study the prevalence and determinants of anemia among WRA in rural Pakistan.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study in the Thatta district of Pakistan from September 2018 to January 2019 and enrolled 150 non-pregnant, married women. Data collectors administered a structured questionnaire to collect sociodemographic, reproductive and dietary data from women, who also provided stool and blood samples. We classified all WRA as anemic if their hemoglobin was <12.0 g/dl. We performed logistic regression analysis to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and their respective 95% CIs to assess the determinants of anemia.

Results

In our study, 61.3% of the enrolled women were anemic. In the multivariable analysis, we found that factors such as serum iron levels of less than 50 μg/dl (aOR: 7.17; 95% CI (2.94, 17.47)), history of breastfeeding (aOR: 2.43; 95% CI (1.04, 5.72)), living in a katcha house (aOR: 6.61; 95% CI (2.21, 19.87)), no consumption of meat (aOR: 4.18; 95% CI (1.66, 9.96)) were significantly associated with anemia among WRA. A history of more than one abortion (aOR: 0.06; 95% CI (0.01, 0.33) appeared protective for its association with anemia.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate a high burden of anemia and its complex determinants among WRA in rural Pakistan. A combination of nutritional and educational strategies should be designed to encourage rural women to consume iron-rich foods in their diet with an access to adequate food. Breastfeeding women should be encouraged to consume extra calories with sufficient intake of the food to continue exclusive breastfeeding and reserve the iron stores through amenorrhea to prevent themselves from becoming anemic.

A Review of Nutrients and Compounds, Which Promote or Inhibit Intestinal Iron Absorption: Making a Platform for Dietary Measures That Can Reduce Iron Uptake in Patients with Genetic Haemochromatosis

OBJECTIVE

To provide an overview of nutrients and compounds, which influence human intestinal iron absorption, thereby making a platform for elaboration of dietary recommendations that can reduce iron uptake in patients with genetic haemochromatosis.

DESIGN

Review. Setting. A literature search in PubMed and Google Scholar of papers dealing with iron absorption.

RESULTS

The most important promoters of iron absorption in foods are ascorbic acid, lactic acid (produced by fermentation), meat factors in animal meat, the presence of heme iron, and alcohol which stimulate iron uptake by inhibition of hepcidin expression. The most important inhibitors of iron uptake are phytic acid/phytates, polyphenols/tannins, proteins from soya beans, milk, eggs, and calcium. Oxalic acid/oxalate does not seem to influence iron uptake. Turmeric/curcumin may stimulate iron uptake through a decrease in hepcidin expression and inhibit uptake by complex formation with iron, but the net effect has not been clarified.

CONCLUSIONS

In haemochromatosis, iron absorption is enhanced due to a decreased expression of hepcidin. Dietary modifications that lower iron intake and decrease iron bioavailability may provide additional measures to reduce iron uptake from the foods. This could stimulate the patients' active cooperation in the treatment of their disorder and reduce the number of phlebotomies.

Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pregnancy: Novel Approaches for an Old Problem

Iron needs increase exponentially during pregnancy to meet the increased demands of the fetoplacental unit, to expand maternal erythrocyte mass, and to compensate for iron loss at delivery. In more than 80% of countries in the world, the prevalence of anemia in pregnancy is > 20% and could be considered a major public health problem. The global prevalence of anemia in pregnancy is estimated to be approximately 41.8%. Undiagnosed and untreated iron deficiency anemia (IDA) can have a great impact on maternal and fetal health. Indeed, chronic iron deficiency can affect the general wellbeing of the mother and leads to fatigue and reduced working capacity. Given the significant adverse impact on maternal-fetal outcomes, early recognition and treatment of this clinical condition is fundamental. Therefore, the laboratory assays are recommended from the first trimester to evaluate the iron status. Oral iron supplementation is the first line of treatment in cases of mild anemia. However, considering the numerous gastrointestinal side effects that often lead to poor compliance, other therapeutic strategies should be evaluated. This review aims to provide an overview of the current evidence about the management of IDA in pregnancy and available treatment options.

Big Data in Ophthalmology

Big data is the fuel of mankind's fourth industrial revolution. Coupled with new technology such as artificial intelligence and deep learning, the potential of big data is poised to be harnessed to its maximal in years to come. In ophthalmology, given the data-intensive nature of this specialty, big data will similarly play an important role. Electronic medical records, administrative and health insurance databases, mega national biobanks, crowd source data from mobile applications and social media, and international epidemiology consortia are emerging forms of "big data" in ophthalmology. In this review, we discuss the characteristics of big data, its potential applications in ophthalmology, and the challenges in leveraging and using these data. Importantly, in the next phase of work, it will be pertinent to further translate "big data" findings into real-world applications, to improve quality of eye care, and cost-effectiveness and efficiency of health services in ophthalmology.

Annual Prevalence, Health Expenditures, and Co-Morbidities Trend of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Korea: National Health Insurance Service Data from 2002 to 2013

Despite improvements in nutritional status, iron deficiency anemia (IDA) remains a debilitating nutritional problem worldwide. We estimate annual IDA prevalence rates by sex and age and the trends therein in Korea. We also calculate the health expenditures of IDA and its co-morbidities by analyzing claims data in the National Health Information Database from 2002 to 2013. All analyses were performed based on diagnosis codes of IDA (D50, D50.0, D50.8, and D50.9) regardless of whether IDA was the principal or a coexisting disease. Trends in IDA prevalence rates were evaluated by calculating annual percent changes (APCs) in prevalence. The health expenditures of IDA were calculated based on the direct medical costs (outpatient and hospitalization costs, pharmaceutical costs) and direct non-medical costs (travel costs). The overall IDA prevalence in both sexes increased approximately 2.3-fold from 2002 to 2013; the APC was +7.6%. In females, the prevalence of IDA was highest in aged 30–39 and 40–49 years. The APC was highest in those aged <10 years (+18.2%), followed by those aged ≥80 (+14.7%) and 70–79 (+9.8%) years. In males, the prevalence rates were highest in aged <10 years, followed by those aged ≥60 years. The APC was highest in those aged <10 years (+19.1%), followed by those aged ≥80 years (+10.5%). The total health expenditures increased 2.8-fold during 12 years. Diseases of the respiratory or gastrointestinal tract were the most prevalent co-morbidities in both males and females. The annual prevalence of IDA continues to rise in association with adverse health expenditures and co-morbidities in spite of improvements in nutritional status. Most importantly, infants and young children, the elderly, and females aged 30–49 years are at highest risk of IDA. A national, prospective, and well-organized effort to improve iron status and to manage IDA is required.

Patterns of Anemia in Married Women and Their Children in Cambodia: A Synthetic Cohort Analysis

AIM

To explore the prevalence of anemia in three cohorts of women, namely, married yet to be mothers, married and are mothers, and currently pregnant, to ascertain the patterns in anemia in women.

METHODS

We analyzed a sample of 130,965 married women from four Demographic Health Surveys: 2000, 2005, 2009 and 2015. The primary focus for the analysis was married women aged 15 to 49 years. In the absence of a longitudinal data that followed the same women over the periods, a synthetic cohort of the women of that age-group was constructed to get women aged 15 to 64 years over the four surveys. Women who were aged 15 to 19 years in 2000 were the same as those 30 to 34 years in 2015, while those aged 45 to 49 years in 2000 were the same as 60 to 64 years in 2015.

RESULTS

Logistic regression revealed that young mothers were significantly more infected (p < .001). Pregnancy affected anemia in the women (p < .001). Being younger and richer were associated with odds ratios of 0.599 (95% confidence interval, CI: [0.560, 0.640]) and 0.765 (95% CI: [0.726, 0.807]) for anemia, respectively. Being pregnant had odds ratio of 1.642 (95% CI: [1.439, 1.872]) for anemia.

CONCLUSION

Public health strategies should target social deprivation at the household level while addressing maternal health issues. An analysis of data on unmarried women and their children is recommended.