Women in India suffers most from Anaemia. 6 in 10 women suffers from Anaemia finds Metropolis Healthcare Study . Highest incidence reported in 20-50 age group.
Recent studies has shown that 6 in 10 women from 36 cities of India have low haemoglobin levels indicating iron deficiency anaemia. Anaemia is a condition that develops when there is lack of healthy red blood cells or haemoglobin in the blood. The incidence of anaemia was reported highest in the 20-50 age group.
In its recent study on anaemia, Metropolis Healthcare found that 6 in 10 women from 36 cities of India have low haemoglobin levels indicating iron deficiency, anaemia. Anaemia is a condition that develops when there is lack of healthy red blood cells or haemoglobin in the blood. The incidence of anaemia was reported highest in the 20-50 age group.
For this study, Metropolis Healthcare had tested 17,00,000 samples of girls and women over a period of two years. In Mumbai, Metropolis tested 11,41,600 samples of girls and women. Among them, 6 in 10 samples were tested anaemic. In Mumbai, amongst the age group of 20-50, the anaemia prevalence was higher.
What is anaemia?
Anaemia is a condition that develops when there is lack of healthy red blood cells or haemoglobin in the blood. Haemoglobin is a main component of the RBCs that binds oxygen into the blood stream. Our bodies need the mineral iron to create this haemoglobin. If one has too few or abnormal red blood cells or if haemoglobin is abnormal or low, the cells in the body will not get enough oxygen. Symptoms of anaemia like weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath, cold hands and feet, irregular heartbeats, brittle nails, and pale skin occurs because our organs aren’t getting what they need to function properly. However, this mild condition maybe easily fixed with the help of medicinal supplements and diet adjustments.
The most common reason for anaemia is a deficiency of iron which can be taken care of with supplements and good nutrition. But in India, women continue to live with anaemia. Menstruating girls and women are more deficient due to the monthly blood loss. The most common signs to watch out for anaemia would be lethargy, unexplained fatigue, pale skin and pale eyes. In kids, more severe form of anaemia is characterized by a behaviour called as pica where the child builds a tendency to eat dirt, clay and other unusual substances. This is not a harmful behaviour and disappears once anaemia is cured.
| National Data on Haemoglobin:
Analysis of 17,00,000 samples tested for Haemoglobin in 36 cities |
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| Age Group | Anaemia | Normal | Total | Anaemia | Normal |
| 0 to 10 | 27725 | 43635 | 71360 | 38.85 | 61.15 |
| 10 to 20 | 55774 | 52826 | 108600 | 51.36 | 48.64 |
| 20 to 30 | 242512 | 131933 | 374445 | 64.77 | 35.23 |
| 30 to 40 | 226007 | 125413 | 351420 | 64.31 | 35.69 |
| 40 to 50 | 165324 | 99632 | 264956 | 62.40 | 37.60 |
| 50 to 60 | 136265 | 101553 | 237818 | 57.30 | 42.70 |
| 60 to 70 | 123079 | 66423 | 189502 | 64.95 | 35.05 |
| 70 to 80 | 64819 | 27090 | 91909 | 70.53 | 29.47 |
| Above 80 | 23924 | 8445 | 32369 | 73.91 | 26.09 |
| Total | 1065429 | 656950 | 1722379 | 61.86 | 38.14 |
| Mumbai specific Data on Haemoglobin:
Analysis of 11,41,600 samples tested for Haemoglobin in Mumbai |
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| Age Group | Anaemia | Normal | Grand Total | Anaemia | Normal |
| 0 to 10 | 18247 | 27888 | 46135 | 39.55 | 60.45 |
| 10 to 20 | 37899 | 36081 | 73980 | 51.23 | 48.77 |
| 20 to 30 | 151152 | 88629 | 239781 | 63.04 | 36.96 |
| 30 to 40 | 145577 | 87177 | 232754 | 62.55 | 37.45 |
| 40 to 50 | 108593 | 69838 | 178431 | 60.86 | 39.14 |
| 50 to 60 | 91606 | 68938 | 160544 | 57.06 | 42.94 |
| 60 to 70 | 82564 | 44962 | 127526 | 64.74 | 35.26 |
| 70 to 80 | 42341 | 18396 | 60737 | 69.71 | 30.29 |
| Above 80 | 15868 | 5844 | 21712 | 73.08 | 26.92 |
| Grand Total | 693847 | 447753 | 1141600 | 60.78 | 39.22 |
Anaemia symptoms are mistaken as cause of stress and overwork. While routine blood tests like Complete Blood Cell (CBC) count can give us an overall picture on the status of Hb and Red Blood Cell components, it is important to undergo thorough diagnosis to find out the exact cause of anaemia. Other causes of anaemia may include internal bleeding and our body’s inability to absorb iron. Whatever the cause, it is important to get diagnosed early on to avoid further complications and correct the condition, as soon as possible.
While iron deficiency induced anaemia and pregnancy are two of the largest causes of mild and moderate anaemia, some cases of severe anaemia may have serious underlying causes, which may affect a person’s quality of life. These include Beta Talassemia, Macrocytic Anaemia and other Chronic Diseases with permanent consequences.
| Cause of Anaemia | Anaemia Type |
| Anemia Caused by Blood Loss | Gastrointestinal conditions such as ulcers, hemorrhoids, gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), and cancer. Menstruation and childbirth in women |
| Anemia Caused by Decreased or Faulty Red Blood Cell Production
|
Iron-deficiency Anemia
Vitamin deficiency, Bone marrow and stem cell problems |
| Anemia associated with other conditions | Advanced kidney disease, Hypothyroidism.
Other chronic diseases, such as cancer, infection, lupus, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis |
| Anemia Caused by Destruction of Red Blood Cells
|
Inherited conditions such as sickle cell Anemia and Thalassemia. Toxins from advanced liver or kidney disease. Inappropriate attack by the immune system (called hemolytic disease of the newborn when it occurs in the fetus of a pregnant woman), vascular grafts, prosthetic heart valves, tumors, severe burns, exposure to certain chemicals, severe hypertension, and clotting disorders |
Dr Mayur Nigalye, Head of Department, Hematology
Metropolis Healthcare, Mumbai
