A 35-year-old woman from rural India presents with fatigue and dyspnea on exertion. Blood investigations show hemoglobin 8.5 g/dL with microcytic hypochromic indices. Serum ferritin is low and TIBC is elevated. What is the most common cause of anemia worldwide?

Question

Accepted Answer

D. Iron deficiency anemia. ## Most Common Cause of Anemia Globally

**Key Point:** Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common cause of anemia worldwide, affecting approximately 1.6 billion people globally, with particularly high prevalence in developing countries like India.

### Epidemiology
- **Prevalence:** ~30% of world population has anemia; IDA accounts for ~50% of all anemia cases
- **High-risk groups:** Women of reproductive age, children, pregnant women, and populations with poor dietary iron intake
- **Geographic distribution:** Highest in South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia

### Why IDA is Most Common

| Factor | Impact |
|--------|--------|
| **Dietary inadequacy** | Low bioavailable iron in vegetarian diets common in India |
| **Blood loss** | Menstrual losses in women; GI bleeding (hookworm, peptic ulcer) |
| **Malabsorption** | Celiac disease, H. pylori infection |
| **Pregnancy/lactation** | Increased iron demands |

**Clinical Pearl:** The microcytic hypochromic pattern with low ferritin and elevated TIBC in this patient is pathognomonic for iron deficiency.

**High-Yield:** In India, the most common causes of IDA are:
1. Nutritional deficiency (vegetarian diet, poverty)
2. Menstrual blood loss (women)
3. Parasitic infestation (hookworm, roundworm)
4. GI bleeding

### Laboratory Findings in IDA
- Hemoglobin: <12 g/dL (women), <13.5 g/dL (men)
- MCV: <80 fL (microcytic)
- Serum ferritin: <15 ng/mL
- TIBC: >360 μg/dL (elevated)
- Serum iron: <60 μg/dL
- Transferrin saturation: <16%

Answer

A. Folate deficiency anemia

Answer

B. Anemia of chronic disease

Answer

C. Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia

A 35-year-old woman from rural India presents with fatigue and dyspnea on exertion. Blood investigations show hemoglobin 8.5 g/dL with microcytic hypochromic indices. Serum ferritin is low and TIBC is elevated. What is the most common cause of anemia worldwide?

Explanation

Most Common Cause of Anemia Globally

Epidemiology

Why IDA is Most Common

Laboratory Findings in IDA

Practice similar questions

Join our NEET PG community

Factor	Impact
Dietary inadequacy	Low bioavailable iron in vegetarian diets common in India
Blood loss	Menstrual losses in women; GI bleeding (hookworm, peptic ulcer)
Malabsorption	Celiac disease, H. pylori infection
Pregnancy/lactation	Increased iron demands