Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is caused by iron deficiency, a common yet underrecognized clinical entity. Populations at greatest risk include children, menstruating and pregnant persons, and people of low socioeconomic status. Timely diagnosis and management of iron deficiency are key to preventing IDA and require thorough assessment of the underlying cause and appropriate iron repletion through either oral or parenteral therapy. Blood transfusion does not provide adequate elemental iron but is sometimes indicated along with iron therapy in patients with cardiovascular compromise, active bleeding, or severe anemia where more rapid correction is warranted. Alternative causes of anemia can be differentiated by red blood cell morphology and reticulocyte count and should be considered if anemia persists despite adequate repletion of iron stores.