Anaemia: Features, Types & Prevention

Context (TH): The Ministry of Ayush and the Ministry of Women and Child Development have signed a MoU for the nutritional improvement in adolescent girls to control Anaemia under Mission Utkarsh.

About Anaemia

Anaemia is a common blood disorder characterised by a reduction in the number of red blood cells (RBCs) or a decrease in the amount of haemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen) in the blood.
It leads to reduced Physical Performance, Poor concentration, memory issues, and irritability.
Severe Anaemia can lead to heart problems, organ damage, and even death.

Iron Deficiency: Iron is essential for RBC production.
Vitamin Deficiencies: Lack of vitamin B12 or folate can also lead to Anaemia.
Chronic Diseases: Certain chronic conditions (e.g., kidney disease, inflammatory disorders) affect RBC production.
Blood Loss: Excessive bleeding (due to menstruation, injury, or gastrointestinal issues) reduces RBCs.
Inherited Disorders: Some genetic conditions affect RBC structure or production.

Condition in which the body lacks enough healthy red blood cells or haemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body’s tissues.
Symptoms: Fatigue, Pale Skin, Shortness of Breath, Dizziness and Headaches, Cold Hands and Feet, Brittle Nails and Hair.
Not typically fatal if treated, but if left untreated or undiagnosed, it can lead to severe complications.
Typically diagnosed through a blood test measuring haemoglobin levels, hematocrit, and RBC count.
Treatment for anaemia varies by cause: iron-deficiency anaemia is treated with iron supplements, vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies with their respective supplements, and severe cases may require blood transfusions or treatment for underlying conditions.
More prevalent in low-income and developing countries such as Africa and Asia (50-60 % in pregnant women) due to poor nutrition, especially iron-deficient diets, and limited access to healthcare.

Globally, anaemia affects 40% of children aged 6-59 months, 37% of pregnant women, and 30% of women aged 15-49.
In 2019, it caused 50 million years of healthy life lost due to disability, with dietary iron deficiency, thalassemia, sickle cell trait, and malaria being the major causes (WHO).
The WHO has set global targets to reduce anaemia in women of reproductive age and children by 50% by 2025.

Iron-deficiency anaemia: Caused by insufficient iron, leading to reduced haemoglobin production, often due to poor diet or blood loss. Can cause heart failure and other complications.
Vitamin-deficiency anaemia: Resulting from a lack of vitamins B12 or folate, essential for red blood cell production, often due to poor nutrition or absorption issues.
Aplastic anaemia: A rare condition where the bone marrow fails to produce enough red blood cells, often linked to autoimmune diseases or chemical exposure. Can lead to life-threatening complications.
Anaemia of chronic disease: Occurs in chronic illnesses like cancer or kidney disease, where the body’s response impairs red blood cell production.
Sickle cell anaemia: A genetic disorder causing misshapen red blood cells that block blood flow and reduce oxygen delivery. Can reduce life expectancy.
Thalassemia: An inherited disorder where abnormal haemoglobin is produced, causing red blood cell destruction. Can reduce life expectancy.
Hemolytic anaemia: Characterized by the rapid destruction of red blood cells (RBC), which can result from infections or autoimmune diseases. Can lead to life-threatening complications.
Fanconi anaemia: A rare genetic condition that causes bone marrow failure, leading to low blood cell production.

Anaemia during the first 100 days of pregnancy increases the risk of CHD due to insufficient iron, which is crucial for fetal development, particularly in forming the baby’s heart.
Iron deficiency can impair oxygen delivery to the fetus, disrupting normal heart development.
Other nutrient deficiencies, such as folate and vitamin B12, may also contribute to this link by affecting cell division and tissue growth, further hindering proper heart formation.

Iron Supplements: For iron-deficiency Anaemia.
Dietary Changes: Consuming iron-rich foods (leafy greens, red meat, legumes).
Vitamin Supplements: Addressing deficiencies.
Blood Transfusions in severe cases.

Anaemia affects various demographic groups across the country. As per NFHS-5 (2019–21), anaemia affects 67.1% of children (6–59 months), 57% of women, 52.2% of pregnant women, and 25% of men aged 15–49 in India.
States like Bihar and Ladakh report higher rates of anaemia among pregnant women, with prevalence rates of 63.1% and 78.1%, respectively.

Anaemia Mukt Bharat: Launched in 2018 under POSHAN Abhiyaan. Aims to reduce anaemia among children (6–59 months), adolescents (10–19 years), and women (15–49 years) by 3% annually.
- Focuses on six interventions, including iron-folic acid (IFA) supplementation, deworming, and delayed cord clamping.
POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission): Launched in 2018 to improve nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) Programme: Targets school-going adolescent girls and boys (10–19 years). Provides weekly iron and folic acid tablets and biannual deworming.
National Iron Plus Initiative (NIPI): Provides iron and folic acid supplementation across life stages, from infancy to adulthood. Focuses on high-risk groups including pregnant and lactating women.
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS): Provides supplementary nutrition, health check-ups, and referral services for children under 6 years and pregnant/lactating women.
Mid-Day Meal scheme: Offers nutritious meals in schools to improve child health and reduce micronutrient deficiencies, including iron.

Mission Utkarsh aims to control Anaemia among adolescent girls using Ayurvedic interventions.
Initially, the initiative will be launched in five aspirational districts across five states as a pilot project.
The program aims to transform the most underdeveloped districts of the country by focusing on improving their socio-economic indicators.
15 central ministries or departments will work together to elevate districts from the bottom to state and national averages.
The aim is nutritional improvement among approximately 95,000 adolescent girls in anaemia-prone districts.