Anemia
...usea and diarrhea. Many patients with iron deficiency develop pica, craving for specific foods not rich in iron. Complications: Infertility, increase susceptibility to infection, congestive heart failure, folic acid deficiency can also increase the risk of neural tube defects like spina bifida, cleft lip and cleft palate. Mitchell &Wood (2000) Nursing Diagnosis: Nutrition altered less than body requirements related to inadequate intake of nutrients to meet increased metabolic demands .Zitelli &Davis (1999). Laboratory findings: Diagonistic indexes for iron-deficiency anemia include an Hct of <=33% and a hemoglobin level of <=11. A ferritin value less than 30mg/L is highly reliable indicator of iron deficiency, but even in obvious cases levels can be normal. This is because ferritin levels can rise in acute or chronic inflammation which can be the cause of iron loss. In this case bone marrow biopsy is the only way to confirm a diagnosis of iron deficiency. A folate level of less than 150mg/ml is diagnostic of folate deficiency. Treatments: Non-pharmargological and pharmargological methods. Non-pharmargological methods The treatment of iron deficiency anemia in children and adults is directed towards controlling blood loss, eating foods rich in iron like liver, green leafy vegetables, whole grains meats and dried fruits, avoidance of cow’s milk in infants and smoking. Pharmargological methods Medications include folic acid supplements and iron supplements. Ferrous sulfate which is the usual oral supplement therapy replenishes iron stores in several months. Iron dextran therapy may be used when oral forms are not tolerated. It is recommended that a pregnant woman consume 60 to 80 mg of iron a day. A side effect of iron is black tarry stool. An individual should not be alarmed. The U.S Public Health Service recommends that all women of childbearing age should take 400mg of folic acid daily.The Medicine Panel on folate has revised the recommended daily allowance for pregnant women to 600mg daily. To ensure adequate folate consumption, the U.S Food and Drug Administration mandated the addition of folate to cereal grain products effective January 1, 1998.Cohen & Kramer (2000). Prognosis: Expected outcomes are positive if the individual is compliant with folic acid therapy. It is estimated that 50% of neural tube defects could be prevented. (Morrow& Kelsey 1998). ...