2018 Iron Deficiency Day

A Call to Develop a Better Understanding of Iron Deficiency

Regulatory News:

THE 2018 IRON DEFICIENCY DAY IS A CALL FOR PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD TO GET IRON- INFORMED AND TO UNDERSTAND WHY IRON IS IMPORTANT FOR THE BODY AND WHAT CAN HAPPEN IF IRON LEVELS ARE NOT PROPERLY MANAGED. IRON DEFICIENCY REMAINS AN UNDER-RECOGNISED AND UNDERESTIMATED CONDITION DESPITE ITS POTENTIALLY SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES AND RELATIVELY HIGH PREVALENCE.^{6, 7}

Although iron deficiency can affect anyone, it is most prevalent in premenopausal women, pregnant woman and children under five years of age³. Iron deficiency, left untreated, can develop into iron deficiency anaemia. The effects of iron deficiency differ from person to person, but they can be linked to an overall decline in general health and well-being.¹³ Even without anaemia, iron deficiency can be debilitating, exacerbate an underlying chronic disease and lead to increased morbidity and mortality.⁴ If the condition develops, common symptoms include fatigue,^{5, 9, 10} pale skin,⁵ brittle nails,^{5, 11} craving non-food items such as dirt, clay and ice^{5, 12} and an inability to concentrate.^{9, 13} However, the symptoms of iron deficiency can manifest in different ways; they are hard to pinpoint and can be associated with a number of other health conditions.^4,5 In children specifically, iron deficiency can significantly impair cognitive and motor development.¹⁴

Not recognising the symptoms of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia is often the biggest contributor to not seeking – and receiving – a diagnosis.⁴ Learning to identify the symptoms is an important step towards finding the diagnosis. The new Iron Deficiency Day Symptom Checker will use animations to elucidate the effects of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia in order to educate people in recognising the condition.

Dr. Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services at New Croft Centre in Newcastle, United Kingdom, said: “Iron deficiency affects so many women across the world and can have a significant impact on their health and quality of life. Maintaining iron levels is particularly important in pregnant women, as it can affect not only a woman’s health, but also the development of her unborn child. It is vital that we encourage women to recognise the symptoms of iron deficiency so that they can talk to their healthcare providers and start to access the support they need to manage their iron levels effectively.”