Question

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Answer 1

Anaemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells or their oxygen-carrying capacity is insufficient to meet physiologic needs, which vary by age, sex, altitude, smoking, and pregnancy status.

Iron deficiency is thought to be the most common cause of anaemia globally, although other conditions, such as folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin A deficiencies, chronic inflammation, parasitic infections, and inherited disorders can all cause anaemia.

In its severe form, it is associated with fatigue, weakness, dizziness and drowsiness. Pregnant women and children are particularly vulnerable.

 WHO programmes and activitiesDepartment of Nutrition for Health and DevelopmentAnaemia in WHO regionsEastern Mediterranean RegionRelated linksNutritionWater-related diseasesAnaemia prevention and controlTechnical informationAnaemiaPublicationsNutritional anaemias: tools for effective prevention and controlThe global prevalence of anaemia in 2011Global Nutrition Targets 2025: Anaemia policy briefWorldwide prevalence of anaemia 1993-2005Focusing on anaemia: towards an integrated approach [pdf 90.2Kb]More publications on anaemiaStatisticsVitamin and Mineral Nutrition Information System (VMNIS)