Anemia-Basics

Isaac Amankwaa

Blood formation

1-Intrautrine life:

Liver and spleen up to the fifth months.

After 5th month : bone marrow share in
the formation of these cells.
2-After birth and Adulthood: restricted to the
bone morrow.

What is Anemia?
Anemia is a condition that

develops when your blood

lacks enough healthy
red blood cells or hemoglobin

Anemia is caused by:

Decreased or faulty red blood cell
production
Blood loss
Destruction of red blood cells

Sickle cell anemia

An inherited disorder
RBC become crescentshaped because of a
genetic defect.
They break down rapidly

Iron-deficiency anemia
Occurs because of a lack of the mineral
iron in the body.
Bone marrow in the center of the bone
needs iron to make hemoglobin

Causes of Iron
deficiency anemia
An iron-poor diet, especially in infants, children, teens
, and vegetarians
The metabolic demands of pregnancy and
breastfeeding that deplete a woman's iron stores
Menstruation
Frequent blood donation
Digestive conditions such as removal of part of the
stomach or small intestine
Certain drugs, foods, and caffeinated drinks

Sources of iron
Animal- meat, liver, kidney, egg yolk.
Veg.- beans, peas, green vegetables
and fruits
Milk- Human milk -0.29- 0.45mg/dl
(Cows milk poor source with 0.01
0.38mg/dl)

Vitamin-deficiency
anemia
Deficient vitamin B12 and folate
These two vitamins are needed
to make red blood cells.

During early pregnancy, sufficient

folic acid can help prevent the fetus from
developing neural tube defects such as
spina bifida.

Anemia Caused by Destruction

of Red Blood Cells

RBCs are fragile and cannot withstand the

routine stress of the circulatory system,
they may rupture prematurely, causing
hemolytic anemia
Causes include
sickle cell disease
infections, drugs, snake or spider venom
Toxins from advanced liver or kidney
disease

Signs iron deficiency

anemia

Signs iron deficiency

anemia

Preventing anemia
Choose a vitamin-rich diet
Iron. Iron-rich foods include beef and other meats, beans, ironfortified cereals, dark green leafy vegetables, and dried fruit.
Folate. This nutrient, and its synthetic form folic acid, can be
found in citrus fruits and juices, bananas, dark green leafy
vegetables, legumes, and fortified breads, cereals and pasta.
Vitamin B-12. This vitamin is found naturally in meat and dairy
products. It's also added to some cereals and soy products,
such as soy milk.
Vitamin C. Foods containing vitamin C such as citrus fruits,
melons and berries help increase iron absorption.

Preventing anemia