Discuss the etiology, clinical features and prevention of nutritional anaemia.
How to lay out the answer. Follow the frame, then write it in your own words.
1 · Open in two lines. Nutritional anaemia is a fall in haemoglobin below the WHO cut-off because of a lack of iron, folate or B12. Iron deficiency is the commonest cause.
2 · WHO cut-offs. Children 6-59 months and pregnant women below 11.0 g/dL; non-pregnant women below 12.0; men below 13.0.
3 · Prevalence. NFHS-5 (2019-21): 67.1% of children 6-59 months and 57.0% of women 15-49 years.
4 · Causes.
Low intake and poor absorption (phytates, tannins).
Blood loss: hookworm, heavy periods.
Raised needs: growth, pregnancy.
Infections: malaria; folate and B12 lack.
5 · Draw the clinical signs. [Diagram: outline figure with arrows to pale conjunctiva, angular stomatitis, smooth tongue and spoon nails]
6 · Effects. Low work capacity, poor learning, low birth weight and maternal death.
7 · Prevention in the community. IFA under Anemia Mukt Bharat, deworming, a diet with vitamin C, fortified salt and rice, malaria and hookworm control, birth spacing, education.
8 · Close in one line. Anaemia is preventable when IFA, deworming and a varied diet reach every woman and child.
Scoring tip: Write the cut-off table from memory; it is short and examiners look for it. Name NFHS-5 with its years.
