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Iron

Iron is an essential nutrient for energy, oxygen transport and utilisation, cell proliferation and immunity.

Iron deficiency remains widespread and is a leading cause of anaemia. Anaemia is one of the most common and intractable nutritional problems in the world today. The World Health Organization estimates approximately two billion people are anaemic, defined as having haemoglobin concentrations that are below recommended thresholds. Young children and pregnant women are at highest risk of iron-deficiency and iron-deficiency anaemia, and health consequences can include poor gestational outcomes, maternal and infant mortality, as well as impaired cognitive development and weakened immunity. Date of preparation: May 2019.

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Key info

Keywords: anaemia, haemoglobin, serum ferritin, serum transferrin receptor

Related nutrients/biomarkers:

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