Iron in Groundwater: A Source for Anemia Prevention

摘要: While anemia can result from many conditions including infectious diseases such as hook worm and malaria, micronutrient deficiencies of folate, vitamin A B 12 , to name a few, inherited blood disorders thalassemia, the consensus is that half all cases, world-wide, be attributed iron deficiency [3]. This assumption based on evidence surveys providing status information in addition hemoglobin concentration an understanding conventional, staple-based diets, namely resource poor settings, are low bioavailable iron. Policy makers responded by encouraging supplementation populations among whom rates known or expected elevated [4]. These programs have been very successful at reducing burden continue provide relatively inexpensive, valuable treatment prevention strategy vulnerable groups. In same resource-limited environments were diets poor, often experience increased exposure exacerbate risk loss reduced hemoglobin. To complicate public health response further, increasing evidence, most notably children, suggests there may negative consequences associated with untargeted those who regularly exposed certain malaria [5] enteric pathogens [6,7]. The disparate thought occur two mechanisms: 1) decreased epithelial integrity sufficient unabsorbed remaining gut 2) pathogen growth virulence having large supply Results recent study investigating impact consuming drinking groundwater add complexity challenge defining how address through efficiently while adapting unique environmental characteristics. One first studies exploring association between consumption naturally rich water outcomes showed children Bangladesh living households tubewell >1 mg/L significantly taller than <1 [8]. Subsequently, Spatone Iron-Plus, marketed occurring mineral roughly 200 ferrous sulphate, was found highly source for pregnant women [9]. With interest explore iron, conducted Brazil showing fortified (and ascorbic acid) improves hemoglobin, [10].