World Anaemia Awareness Day
07. February 2025
Understanding Anaemia and the Importance of World Anaemia Awareness Day
In line with Nihon Kohden’s goal of providing better medical solutions to address the needs of various laboratories, the Clinical Laboratory line of products encompasses a range of Haematology Analysers that provide user-friendly solutions that are simple to use while improving efficiency and streamlining workflow. These solutions support the diagnosis of a range of patient conditions, including Anaemia, Leukaemia and infections, ensuring better patient outcomes.
Anaemia is a common yet often overlooked condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It occurs when your body doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your tissues, leading to symptoms like fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. There are various types of anaemia, with iron-deficiency anaemia being the most prevalent.
Globally, in 2021, the global incidence of anaemia was 24.3% which makes up to 1.92 billion people. It was reported that 31.2% of women had anaemia compared with 17.5% of men. This gender gap is more apparent when we look at the reproductive age group of 15 to 49 years old. In this age group, anaemia prevalence in women was 33.7%, while it was 11.3% in men1.
Symptoms of Anaemia
While the symptoms of anaemia can vary based on the cause and severity, common symptoms include2:
- Fatigue and weakness
- Pale or yellowish skin
- Irregular heartbeats
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Cold hands and feet
What Causes Anaemia?
Anaemia can result from several factors, including:
• Iron deficiency: The most common cause, often due to inadequate dietary intake or chronic blood loss.
• Vitamin deficiency: Lack of vitamin B12 or folate can lead to anaemia.
• Chronic diseases: Conditions like kidney disease or cancer can interfere with red blood cell production, leading to anaemia.
• Genetic disorders: Diseases such as sickle cell anaemia or thalassemia are inherited and affect red blood cell production.
Diagnostic Tests for Anaemia
Alongside physical presentations of anaemia, diagnostics tests also play a role in identifying the type and cause of the condition. The common tests utilized in diagnosis are3,4:
• Complete Blood Count (CBC)
o The CBC is the most common test used in the diagnosis of anaemia. It measures the levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, haemoglobin, and platelets in a blood sample using an analyser like the Nihon Kohden Automated Hematology Analyzers.
• Reticulocyte Count
o This test measures the number of immature red blood cells in your blood, helping to determine if your bone marrow is producing enough red blood cells. Many analysers offer this as part of their CBC panel and it is available on the Nihon Kohden MEK-9200 Automated Heamatology Analyser.
• Peripheral Blood Smear
o This test examines the size, shape, and color of your red blood cells under a microscope. The information from this test assists in identifying any abnormalities in cells, that could indicate the cause of anaemia.
• Iron Panel
o An Iron Panel measures the levels of iron in your blood, including ferritin, serum iron, transferrin saturation, and total iron-binding capacity. This information helps in identifying iron-deficiency anaemia
• Vitamin B12 and Folate Tests
o Vitamin related tests measure the levels of vitamin B12 and folate in your blood, which are essential for red blood cell production. This information helps in identifying vitamin deficiency anaemia
• Hemoglobin Electrophoresis
o This test identifies different types of haemoglobin in your blood, which can help diagnose genetic disorders like sickle cell anaemia.
World Anemia Awareness Day
Celebrated on February 13th, World Anemia Awareness Day was established to highlight the global impact of anemia and iron deficiency, particularly among women and children5. This day serves as a platform to educate the public about the importance of blood health and the need for preventive measures.
World Anemia Awareness Day 2025 kicks off with a 24 hour Global Anemia-thon event. The theme of “Raise Your Hands for Blood Health” aims to promote the critical role of preventative action to support blood health.
Here’s How You Can Participate in World Anemia Awareness Day
1. Educate yourself and others about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of anaemia. Share this knowledge with friends and family.
2. Donate blood at your local Blood Bank. Blood donation can help save lives and raise awareness about the importance of blood health.
3. Support local organizations that are working on fighting anaemia and promoting blood health.
4. Promote healthy eating: Encourage a diet rich in iron, vitamin B12, and folate to help prevent anaemia.
Raise Your Hands for Blood Health
With Anaemia still being a significant public health issue, bringing attention to its importance and the increasing awareness of the causes related to it is essential. By participating in World Anemia Awareness Day, you can help raise your hands for blood health and contribute to the fight against this condition. Remember, the best blood is your blood, so take care of it by staying informed and proactive about your health.
References
1. Measuring the global burden of anaemia. Pasricha, Sant-Rayn et al. The Lancet Haematology, Volume 10, Issue 9, e696 - e697
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anemia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351366
3. Tefferi A, Hanson CA, Inwards DJ. How to interpret and pursue an abnormal complete blood cell count in adults. Mayo Clin Proc. 2005 Jul;80(7):923-36. doi: 10.4065/80.7.923. PMID: 16007898; PMCID: PMC7127472.
4. Buttarello, M. (2016), Laboratory diagnosis of anemia: are the old and new red cell parameters useful in classification and treatment, how?. Int. Jnl. Lab. Hem., 38: 123-132. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijlh.12500
5. https://worldanemiaawareness.com/about-world-anemia-awareness-day/