| iron deficiency | Deficiency of iron results in anaemia because iron is necessary to make haemoglobin, the key molecule in red blood cells responsible for the transport of oxygen. In iron deficiency anaemia, the red cells are unusally small (microcytic) and pale (hypochromic). Characteristic features of iron deficiency anaemia in children include failure to thrive (grow) and increased infections. The treatment of iron deficiency anaemia , whether it be in children or adults, is with iron and iron-containing foods. Food sources of iron include meat, poultry, eggs, vegetables and cereals (especially those fortified with iron). According to the National Academy of Sciences, the recommended dietary allowances of iron are 15 milligrams per day for women and 10 milligrams per day for men. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| iron deficiency anaemia | Hypochromic microcytic anaemia characterised by low serum iron, increased serum iron-binding capacity, decreased serum ferritin, and decreased marrow iron stores. Synonym: hypoferric anaemia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| iron-dextran complex | <chemical> Iron dextran. A complex of ferric oxyhydroxide with dextrans of 5000 to 7000 daltons in a viscous solution containing 50 mg/ml of iron. It is supplied as a parenteral preparation and is used as a haematinic. (goodman and gilman's the pharmacological basis of therapeutics, 8th ed, p1292) Pharmacological action: haematinics. Chemical name: Iron dextran (12 Dec 1998) |
| iron dextrin | A complex of dextrin with ferric hydroxide; used intravenously in the treatment of iron deficiency. (05 Mar 2000) |
| iron, dietary | Iron or iron compounds used in foods or as food. Dietary iron is important in oxygen transport and the synthesis of the iron-porphyrin proteins haemoglobin, myoglobin, cytochromes, and cytochrome oxidase. Insufficient amounts of dietary iron can lead to iron-deficiency anaemia. (12 Dec 1998) |
| iron excess | Iron overload can damage the heart, liver, gonads and other organs. Iron overload is a particular risk in people who may have certain genetic conditions (haemochromatosis) sometimes without knowing it and also in people receiving recurrent blood transfusions. According to the national academy of sciences, the recommended dietary allowances of iron are 15 milligrams per day for women and 10 milligrams per day for men. (12 Dec 1998) |
| iron haematoxylin | Unique ferric lakes of haematein that produce deep blue-black stains; useful for studies of cytologic detail, such as chromosomes, spindle fibres, Golgi apparatus, myofibrils, and mitochrondria; also useful to demonstrate Entamoeba histolytica. See: Heidenhain's iron haematoxylin stain, Weigert's iron haematoxylin stain. (05 Mar 2000) |
| iron-hearted | Hard-hearted; unfeeling; cruel; as, an iron-hearted master. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| iron index | An obsolete index of iron obtained by dividing the figure for the average content of iron in normal blood (42.74 mg) by the red cell count in millions; it normally varies between 8 and 9; in pernicious anaemia, the index is usually greater than 10, but it tends to be normal in chronic secondary anaemia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| iron isotopes | Stable iron atoms that have the same atomic number as the element iron, but differ in atomic weight. Fe-54, 57, and 58 are stable iron isotopes. (12 Dec 1998) |
| iron lung | A mechanical respirator in which the body except the head is encased within a metal tank, which is sealed at the neck with an airtight gasket; artificial respiration is induced by making the air pressure inside negative. Synonym: iron lung, tank respirator. (05 Mar 2000) |
| iron metabolism disorders | Disorders in the processing of iron in the body: its absorption, transport, storage, and utilization. (12 Dec 1998) |
| iron overload | An excessive accumulation of iron in the body due to a greater than normal absorption of iron from the gastrointestinal tract or from parenteral injection. This may arise from idiopathic haemochromatosis, excessive iron intake, chronic alcoholism, certain types of refractory anaemia, or transfusional haemosiderosis. (12 Dec 1998) |
| iron poisoning | Iron supplements meant for adults (such as pregnant women) are a major cause of poisoning in children. Care should be taken to keep iron supplements safely away from children. (12 Dec 1998) |
| iron protoporphyrin | A protoporphyrin to which an iron atom is complexed; e.g., haem. (05 Mar 2000) |