Intergenerational Inheritance of IDA: A threat to Adolescent Iron status. Siphathokuhle's Story

“It’s important to do health checks at an early age, especially blood counts so that people can get early diagnosis and seek help early”

A picture of Four generations of women

When we talk of inherited iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) being one of the factors contributing to the unabated IDA prevalence in adolescence it often sounds like a farfetched theory. However, this is a reality of many adolescent girls whose low iron status as children is often exacerbated by the onset of menstruation in adolescence therefore triggering anaemia.

While there are a million such stories, today we highlight Siphathokuhle’s lived experience in battling IDA in her adolescent years. Siphathokuhle’s journey started at the early age of 14 when she discovered that her iron levels were lower than normal. However, this news was not new to their family as her grandmother, and mother had previously battled with the same condition years back. Coming from a background of IDA survivors, one would think she would have had an early diagnosis or navigated it easier but that was not the case. In as much as adolescence is a stage characterised by energy and hyperactivity, Sphatho’s own was the opposite as mostly she was either tired, feeling weak, or experiencing dizzy spells. This exposed her to emotional abuse by her peers as her symptoms were interpreted as laziness or being moody. Seeking solutions to this condition included taking medication e.g. ferrous tablets, iron supplements, and iron-rich foods. However, when she experienced severe attacks eating raw liver became her best resort as it helped her regain herself quicker. Throughout this ordeal, Sphatho always had her family’s unrelenting support. This might be because of her grandmother and mother’s journey in fighting IDA which left the family more aware and able to offer the right support she needed.

QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION

How can Adolescent Girls and Young Women increase their iron status?

In such a tough economy and harsh climate, adolescent girls and young women can use iron supplements, and grow their own vegetables or iron-rich foods such as cabbage, spinach, etc.

What gaps exist and improvements can be made to address IDA in Adolescent Girls and Young Women to increase or maintain their iron levels?

Many individuals lack awareness of the impact of iron deficiency anaemia (IDA). Additionally, societal pressures often lead women to space their pregnancies too closely, putting the mother at risk during childbirth. Moreover, a concerning number of pregnant women neglect to take their prescribed iron supplements. Some women even associate symptoms of IDA with superstitions and may avoid seeking necessary medical assistance. Some of the improvements we need to make concerning IDA are to educate people on the impacts of IDA and encourage mothers to increase years of child spacing to help them regain their iron status before another pregnancy.

Final words of encouragement and advice.

It's very important to do regular health checkups especially blood counts at an early age and also educate people on symptoms of IDA as some symptoms are very difficult to decipher especially the weird cravings hence, people end up suffering in silence.

 If you want to also share your iron deficiency anaemia lived experience please do reach out to us on our social media platforms on the link below. 

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