Risks associated with mild anemia in apparently healthy individuals: how to combat anemia in general population

ABSTRACT

Mild grade anemia in adult population is defined as a blood hemoglobin concentration between 10.00 to 12.9 g/dl in males or between 10.00 to 11.9 g/dl in non-pregnant females. Mildly anemic but apparently healthy subjects are commonly found in general population. Such individuals are at a greater risk of not being sufficiently investigated for the underlying disease and may end up with serious morbidity and health problems such as, diminished cardiovascular responses, compromised physical activity, poor cognitive function and growth retardation in children, and increased risk of falls and fractures and 5-year all cause mortality rates among elderly people. Nutritional deficiencies, chronic diseases, recurrent infections and aging are the major causes of mild anemia. The best approach to combat mild anemia in general population of a developing country would be through initiation of food fortification program, creating more awareness among people about the benefits of dietary diversification, use of fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables and adopting measures such as, frequent hand washing and use of boiled water for drinking to avoid common infections