Should we screen for iron deficiency anaemia? A review of the evidence and recent recommendations

Abstract

Worldwide, over 1.6 billion people are anaemic. The prevalence of anaemia and contribution of iron deficiency to this burden is heterogeneous between different populations. Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is associated with impaired development in children, adverse effects on cognitive and physical performance in adults, and poorer maternal and infant outcomes in pregnancy. Causes of anaemia other than iron deficiency are important in developed countries and where malaria, thalassaemia or haemoglobinopathy are prevalent. Haemoglobin is the most commonly used screening test for iron deficiency, but may have inadequate sensitivity and specificity to determine iron status in many settings. Screen..