Anemia risk factors

Risk Factors for Anemia in menstruation Women. Anemia is a common condition. Both men and women can have anemia, but women of childbearing age are at higher risk for the condition. This is because women in this age range lose blood from menstruation. The monthly blood loss that occurs during menstruation causes the body to need increased iron. Women who experience heavy bleeding should pay special attention to their iron intake.

Risk Factors for Anemia in Pregnant women. Anemia can develop during pregnancy due to low levels of iron and folic acid (folate) and changes in the blood. During the first 6 months of pregnancy, the fluid portion of a woman’s blood increases faster than the number of red blood cells. This dilutes the blood and can lead to anemia. 50% or more of women in nonindustrialized nations become iron deficient, and 30 - 50% are deficient in folic acid. Severe anemia is associated with a higher mortality rate among pregnant women. Mild-to-moderate anemia, however, does not pose any elevated risk. Pregnancy increases the body's demand for folic acid and, therefore, poses a risk for deficiencies and an increased risk for megaloblastic anemia. Pregnancy increases the body's demand for iron, thus posing a risk for iron deficiency anemia. Pregnancy is also associated with fluid retention, which in turn may produce high volumes of plasma (the fluid component of blood).

Risk Factors for Anemia in Infants. Infants younger than 2 years old also are at risk for anemia. This is because they may not get enough iron in their diets, especially if they drink a lot of cow's milk. Cow's milk is low in the iron needed for growth. Drinking too much cow’s milk may keep an infant or toddler from eating enough iron-rich foods.

Risk Factors for Anemia in Older Adults. In older adults, anemia affects about 10% of adults aged 65 years and older, and more than 20% aged 85 years and older. The causes of anemia in older adults were equally distributed among nutritional deficiencies, chronic inflammatory disease, chronic renal disease, and unexplained anemia. Most cases were mild.

Risk Factors for Anemia in Vegetarians. Vegetarians and people who do not consume red-meat are more apt to be iron deficient. Meat sources of iron, also called heme-iron, such pork, beef and lamb are among the richest sources of iron. Heme-sources of iron are best absorbed and utilized by the body. Non-heme sources such as the iron in beans, grains and vegetables is not nearly as well absorbed by the body.

The Risk Factors of Anemia include follow: