Hematologic Disorders and Anemia Q 25

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A mother asks the nurse if her child’s iron deficiency anemia is related to the child’s frequent infections. The nurse responds based on the understanding of which of the following?

  

     A. Little is known about iron-deficiency anemia and its relationship to infection in children.

     B. Children with iron deficiency anemia are more susceptible to infection than are other children.

     C. Children with iron-deficiency anemia are less susceptible to infection than are other children.

     D. Children with iron-deficient anemia are equally as susceptible to infection as are other children.

    

    

Correct Answer: B. Children with iron deficiency anemia are more susceptible to infection than are other children.

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Children with iron-deficiency anemia are more susceptible to infection because of marked decreases in bone marrow functioning with microcytosis. Iron deficiency may, apart from leading to anemia, increase the susceptibility to infection by suppressing the immunological response to pathogens. Anemia is a global public health problem, especially affecting young children with prevalence up to 70% in some populations (World Health Organisation, 2005).

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Option A: Iron deficiency is thought to impair immunity by negatively influencing cell?mediated immunity and components of the human innate immune system. For example, iron deficiency has also been associated with thymic atrophy, the depression of T?lymphocytes, decreased neutrophil function, a decrease in the microbicidal qualities of macrophages (Kumar & Choudhry, 2010; Drakesmith & Prentice, 2012) and reduced interleukin?2 production by activated lymphocytes (Galan et al, 1992).

Option C: Besides being an essential element for human metabolism, iron is also an important nutrient for pathogenic microorganisms. Pathogens are able to sequester iron from the host, depending on the preferred iron source and whether the pathogen adopts a predominantly intracellular or extracellular lifestyle (Cassat & Skaar, 2013).

Option D: Several studies have examined the relationship between susceptibility to infections and the host iron status and/or iron supplementation. Where some authors found adverse effects of iron supplementation and/or a protective effect of iron-deficient status, others reported a decreased risk of infections after iron supplementation.

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