IRON ABSORPTION AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON STRATEGIES TO CONTROL IRON DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA

Iron deficiency anaemia is one of the most common nutritional disorders world-wide, especially in India and other developing countries. Young children and women in the reproductive age group are the most vulnerable to iron deficiency anaemia. Surveys in different parts of the country reveal that 87 % of pregnant women suffer from anaemia and about 10 % have severe anaemia (H < 80 g/l). Variations in the prevalence rates of anaemia are seen within the country with the lowest prevalence of 33 % being reported from Andhra Pradesh to the highest of 98 % in Rajasthan1. A recent study on the prevalence and etiology of nutritional anaemia in early childhood in an urban slum area of east Delhi indicated a high prevalence (76%) of anaemia and iron deficiency in 41 % children2. Earlier studies from the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad and othe