Dearth of blood (anemia) is the most widely spread disease among children and women of gestation age in Tajikistan. It is distinguished with decrease of hemoglobin and erythrocytes, which serve for bringing oxygen to tissues and cells. Diminution of erythrocytes results in deficiency of oxygen and reduction of metabolism processes in an organism. It is especially dangerous for children under one year and women who may give birth to babies.
In order to diagnose anemia doctors see an amount of hemoglobin and erythrocytes in blood. The norm is equal to 110 g/l of hemoglobin and 3.4 million erythrocytes with adults.
The word “anemia” stems from the combination of two Greek words: negative prefix an- and noun haema - blood. In direct translation it is “lack of blood”. However, this translation doesn’t answer reality, as lack of blood is incompatible with life. Even under any heaviest forms of anemia there is always some amount of blood in a body.
Anemia may be also the result of blood losses when blood circulation is broken or erythrocytes live only 25-30 days instead of proper 90-120 days. Respective of mechanism development and reasons of rise several groups of anemia are differentiated, each of them has its own clinical picture and scheme of treatment.
Our goal is to acquaint you with mostly frequently occurred forms of anemia - iron deficiency anemia which is caused by dearth of iron microelements in a body, first of all. Thus, out of 107 patients ill with anemia who entered for the first quarter 2003 the hematology section of viloyat children’s hospital in Khujand 64 were diagnosed as suffering with iron deficiency anemia.
All blood mass in a body contains comparatively little iron - about 2.5 mg. This amount will hardly suffice to do a small “nail”. But without this “nail” an individual is doomed to death as without it red blood little bodies (as erythrocytes were called beforehand) can’t perform their respiratory function as iron lies in the structure of hemoglobin (protein of blood) linked with oxygen.
During physiological cycles the need in iron enhances acutely with women of gestation age and children of early age. And if iron doesn’t enter an organism disease comes by all means. It tells in the negative both upon a pregnant woman and a fetus in her womb. In this case a fetus is compelled to develop under inadequate amount of oxygen and pregnancy may eventuate in miscarriage. In the course of pregnancy conveyance of iron to a fetus is increasing since the 30-th week. Hence it is clear why pre-term babies have less iron, if prophylactics is not available they fall ill with anemia in 100% of cases.
In the name of salvation of our future generation the government of Tajikistan Republic adopted the National program “Combat with Iron Deficiency Anemias” in accordance with which we must reduce anemia among the population by over 30%. Within the frameworks of this program the solution was passed to install a line on wheat flour enrichment with iron at Kairakkoom combine. In addition, iron preparations are dispensed among population. But our citizens being poorly informed and unprepared for this measure behaved rather skeptically mistrusting medical workers who came to their homes with some non-familiar tablets. Taking it into consideration on Mondays the day of taking iron preparations is organized in policlinics over Sughd viloyat.
One should bear in mind that round-the-clock need of males in iron is 10 mg, of females - 18 mg; hereby in the period of pregnancy it is - 20 mg and when a woman provides pectoral feeding for her baby it is 25 mg. In order to fill in this daily need it is necessary to have up to 100-150 grams of meat products, as meat is the primary source of iron. If in 100 grams of apples there is 0.6 mg of iron, in 100 grams of meat there are 2.2 mg; in liver - 28 mg; in tongue - 38 mg. Into the bargain, one should mention about our habit to drink green tea, just after meals, but it promotes a dilution of gastric juice acidity. It entails a reduction of stomach environment acidity and iron is absorbed weakly. So, it is better to use drinks not during meals but 20-30 minutes later.
The symptoms of iron deficiency anemia with children cause especial anxiety. Among those who suffer with anemia first of all there are pre-term babies and twins, children whose mothers have this disease, the newly born with a big weight. Characteristic tokens are absence of appetite, lagging in weight, vomit. I want to especially dwell on such symptom as perversion of taste. Children with developing anemia begin eating chalk, clay, and earth as they suffer with the dearth of iron, zinc or potassium. We witnessed a case when a girl started to eat even… soap with which one washes linen. After treatment such taste perversions are given up and parents memorize about them with a smile.
Children having anemia may suffer in addition with dystrophy of myocardium - muscular layer of a heart side. They more often fall ill with respiratory diseases attributed to reduction of non-specific protection.
Regretfully, we have to state that most of all parents apply to us too late. But when it is done in time and children’s policlinic is attended regularly anemia may be avoided. Young mothers should bear in mind that in order to prevent anemia children should be fed in a right way since birth. Pectoral milk is an indispensable product for feeding. Alongside with other wholesome qualities it contains more iron than cow milk. And in order a woman had enough milk for the entire period of her child’s babyhood she should be healthy. Prophylactics of anemia, just as of other children’s diseases, ought to be started with future mother’s sanitation. The meals of a feeding mother should be variegated; it is to include 500 grams of milk, 50 grams of cheese, 100 grams of curds, 30 grams of butter, 150 grams of meat, 1 egg, vegetable dishes, soups. As for child’s nutrition, she should know about it before marriage. And one more thing is necessary for being known - in order to prevent your child’s anemia you should take it daily out-of-doors to breathe fresh air, your son or daughter should enjoy it as long as possible.