Medicus, Vol. 9 No. 1_Kronične bolesti, 2000.
Review article
Anemia and Other Manifestations of Iron, Vitamin B12 and Folate Deficiencies
Damir Nemet
Abstract
Deficiences of iron, vitamin B12 and folate
are the dominant causes of anemia and represent the major
public health problem in developing but also in developed
countries worldwide. This review is restricted to prevalence,
metabolism, and especially to causes and diagnosis of deficiency
of these three nutritients. Anemia is very well known
and frequently described consequence of their deficiency, and
consequently, more attention is paid to recent understanding
of the role of folate and vitamin B12 in cardiovascular, neurologic,
psychiatric and malignant diseases as well as developmental
abnormalities. Advances in the study of these nutritients
have revealed new aspects of hematological disturbances,
but also of many nonhematologic manifestations of
deficiency and especially mild, preclinical deficiency states. A
battery of sensitive tests allows for early detection of vitamin
and iron deficiency. The high prevalence of deficiency opened
a question of prophylactic therapy, and of food fortification
with these vitamins and minerals, especially in the elderly and
in people with low socioeconomic status.
Keywords
anemia; deficiency; iron; vitamin B12; folic acid
Hrčak ID:
19185
URI
Publication date:
26.1.2000.
Visits: 6.503 *