Iron Deficiency Anaemia Case Studies

Iron Deficiency Anaemia

Case 1

25 years old pregnant female came to OPD with complaints of weakness, fatigue and inability to concentrate. Her Hb was 8 gm/dl and the peripheral smear showed microcytic, hypochromic RBCs.

• Diagnosis– Iron Deficiency Anaemia.
• Deficient mineral– Iron.
• Storage form– Ferritin.
• Transport form– Transferrin.

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Causes of Iron Deficiency

1. Nutritional deficiency.
2. Increase demand as in pregnancy and lactation.
3. Malabsorption.
4. Chronic blood loss.
5. Lead poisoning.
6. Hookworm infection.

Iron Deficiency Clinical Manifestations

1. Lack of interest in surrounding.
2. Weakness, fatigue.
3. Irritability.
4. Poor memory, and decrease in school performance.
5. Spoon-shaped nails (koilonychia).

Iron Deficiency Laboratory Diagnosis

1. Haemoglobin– Decreased.
2. Serum iron level– Decreases.
3. Total iron binding capacity– Increases.

RDA– 20 mg/day

40 mg/day in pregnancy.

Sources

Leafy vegetables, meat, liver, jaggery etc.

Case 2

A 10-year-old girl presented with excessive tiredness, poor appetite, inability to concentrate and tingling sensations. On examination there was pallor. Lab investigations revealed a decrease in haemoglobin, ferritin and MCV. Total iron binding capacity and transferring were increased.

Case 3

A 23-year-old female patient came to OPD for a routine check-up. She reports 4 months of progressive fatigue. Her Family history is suggestive of anaemia in her mother and sister. Her investigations are as follows:

• Haemoglobin– 9 gm/dl
• MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume) < 80 fL (Normal 80–100 fL)
• RDW (RBC distribution width)– Increased (indicates variability in RBCs size, and low iron states)
• TIBC– Increased.
• Ferritin– Low.
• Diagnosis– Iron deficiency anaemia.