Prevalence of anemia among Inuit women in Nunavik, Canada

Abstract

Objectives. To assess the prevalence and main types of anemia present among non-pregnant Inuit women of Nunavik using a representative sample. Study design. A cross-sectional population-based study. Methods. Iron status was assessed in 466 women aged 18-74 who participated in the 2004 Nunavik Inuit Health Survey. The presence of different types of anemia has been evaluated based on available biochemical indicators of vitamins and of iron status. The correlation between iron status indicators, vitamin status parameters, inflammation markers and heavy metal concentrations was also assessed. Results. Anemia was present in 43% of the Inuit women in Nunavik and 21% suffered from iron deficiency anemia (IDA). The main type of anemia present among women 18-49 years old was IDA (61% of anemia cases) while anemic women 50 years and over suffered mainly from anemia related to chronic inflammation (ACI) (42%). Over 99% of women had normal values for vitamin A, vitamin B 12 and folate. Of interest is that ferritin was positively correlated with blood mercury and lead levels. Conclusion. The prevalence of anemia in Nunavik women is similar to levels observed in non-industrialized countries and represents a severe public health problem that should be further investigated. The most prevalent type of anemia in these women shifted from IDA to ACI with age. Vitamin A, vitamin B 12 and folate deficiencies do not constitute a widespread problem and their contribution to anemia is probably minimal. Sources of heavy metals are also major sources of iron in the diet of Nunavik women which could explain the positive association found between heavy metals and iron status. (Int J Circumpolar Health 2011; 70(2):154-165)

Prevalence of unexplained anaemia in Inuit men and Inuit post-menopausal women in Northern Labrador: International Polar Year Inuit Health Survey

“…Vitamin B 12 intake appeared adequate and is supported by observations of adequate serum B12 in Nunavik women. 15 Folate intakes were low but RBC folate levels, at least among young women, were not in a range associated with macrocytic anaemia. Given the current consumption of (fortified) wheat flour bread and other market foods, 16 severe folate deficiency would not be suspected.…”

“…Similarly, AOI was reported to explain 42% of the anaemia among post-menopausal Nunavik women in 2004, with 14% due to IDA and 44% remaining unexplained. 15 Iron intake and iron stores did not contribute to anaemia among older adults. Vitamin B 12 intake appeared adequate and is supported by observations of adequate serum B12 in Nunavik women.…”

Food insecurity and nutritional biomarkers in relation to stature in Inuit children from Nunavik

“…This estimate is similar to the prevalence of iron depletion documented in a 2004 survey of women from Nunavik (30%). 30 In a study of 32 low-and middleincome countries, the mother's anaemia status was one of the most important predictors of anaemia in her children, surpassing socio-economic predictors in many countries. 31 It is likely that a similar relation exists for iron depletion in Inuit children.…”

Determine Morphological Types of Anemia in Anemic Pregnant Women in Al-Batool Teaching Hospital for Maternity and Children in Baqubah City, Iraq.

“…The result of this study which revealed moderate anemia was the most common type of anemia in pregnant women, this is similar to result of other studies [1,16] and different with study done by Al.Shawi et al, (2012) who recorded high percent with mild anemia [6,12,17]. Severe anemia was seen in 20 cases it is in contrast to the study done by Geelhoed were no case of severe anemia was noted [18].…”