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High rates of anemia despite iron sufficiency among women of reproductive age in rural northwestern Bangladesh: a role for thalassemia
Author(s) -
Merrill Rebecca Day,
Shamim Abu Ahmed,
Ali Hasmot,
Labrique Alain B,
Schulze Kerry,
Christian Parul,
West Keith P
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.32.1
Subject(s) - medicine , anemia , thalassemia , environmental health , population , anthropometry , public health , pediatrics , demography , sociology , nursing
Among women of reproductive age in rural Bangladesh, iron deficiency was nonexistent despite high rates of anemia (57%). We assessed the influence of thalassemia, diet, and groundwater minerals on the risk of anemia in this population. Data was collected in 2008 from 207 women, representing a random sample of participants in a population research setting, including 7‐day dietary and morbidity recalls, anthropometry, and groundwater iron and arsenic intake. Blood was analyzed for iron, inflammation, and thalassemia status. Thalassemia (28% prevalence) was associated with an increase in anemia in crude and adjusted analyses (OR (95% CI): 2.4 (1.3, 4.7) and 2.5 (1.3, 5.0), respectively). Low body mass index (<18.5 kg/m 2 ) and parity (≥2 vs 1 offspring) were also associated with anemia (OR (95% CI): 2.0 (1.1, 3.8) and 2.7 (1.2, 5.9), respectively). Diet and exposure to groundwater arsenic were unrelated to anemia (p>0.17 and 0.50, respectively). Among women in rural Bangladesh, consuming a typical diet, thalassemia, not iron deficiency, substantially contributed to the risk of anemia. In such settings, iron supplementation of women may be an ineffective, and inappropriate, presumptive public health response to control anemia. Supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, USAID Washington DC, and the Sight and Life Research Institute, with additional funding provided by a Proctor & Gamble Fellowship.Grant Funding Source : Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation