Anemia y deficiencia de hierro en mujeres indígenas del Departamento de presidente Hayes, Paraguay, 2010-2011

Abstract

Según datos de la UNICEF, entre 4 mil y 5 mil millones de personas en el mundo padecen carencia de hierro, y se calcula que 2 mil millones sufren de anemia. La mujer puede presentar diversos tipos de anemia, ya sea por

menstruaciones abundantes o por deficiencia de aporte de hierro. El objeti- vo de este trabajo fue evaluar los parámetros hematológicos e indicadores

químicos de la anemia y carencia de hierro en las mujeres indígenas del De- partamento de Presidente Hayes, Paraguay, realizado de octubre de 2010

a octubre de 2011. En este estudio observacional descriptivo de corte trans- verso, se incluyeron 222 mujeres de 12 a 60 años de edad de las etnias maká,

nivaclé, sanapaná, enxet y tobaqom. Se determinó la concentración de la hemoglobina e índices hematimétricos: VCM, HCM y CHCM mediante un contador hematológico. El hierro sérico y transferrina se determinó por

método enzimático colorimétrico y la saturación de la transferrina por cál- culo manual. En el 40% (88/222) de las mujeres se observó hemoglobina por

debajo de 12 g/dL. Con respecto a los índices hematimétricos, presentaron valores inferiores al punto de corte, siendo el 33% para VCM, 22% HCM y el 16% para CHCM. Estos resultados indican una deficiencia de hierro en diferentes fases, lo que tendría consecuencias negativas como la anemia, baja resistencia a infecciones, retraso en el desarrollo psicomotor y función cognoscitiva de los niños, bajo rendimiento académico, fatiga, entre otras patologías en una población vulnerable donde la mayoría de las mujeres estudiadas son de edad fértil.

According to UNICEF, between 4 thousand and 5 thousand million peo- ple in the world have ferropenia and it is calculated that 2 thousand mi- llion suffer from anemia. Women may present different types of anemia,

due either to abundant menstruation or deficient iron intake. The objecti- ve of this work was to evaluate hematological and chemical parameters of

anemia in indigenous women from the Department of Presidente Hayes, Paraguay, from October 2010 to October 2011. This was a cross-sectional, observational and descriptive study that included 222 women aged 12 to 60 According to UNICEF, between 4 thousand and 5 thousand million peo- ple in the world have ferropenia and it is calculated that 2 thousand mi- llion suffer from anemia. Women may present different types of anemia,

due either to abundant menstruation or deficient iron intake. The objecti- ve of this work was to evaluate hematological and chemical parameters of

anemia in indigenous women from the Department of Presidente Hayes, Paraguay, from October 2010 to October 2011. This was a cross-sectional, observational and descriptive study that included 222 women aged 12 to 60 According to UNICEF, between 4 thousand and 5 thousand million peo- ple in the world have ferropenia and it is calculated that 2 thousand mi- llion suffer from anemia. Women may present different types of anemia,

due either to abundant menstruation or deficient iron intake. The objecti- ve of this work was to evaluate hematological and chemical parameters of

anemia in indigenous women from the Department of Presidente Hayes, Paraguay, from October 2010 to October 2011. This was a cross-sectional, observational and descriptive study that included 222 women aged 12 to 60 years, belonging to the ethnic groups maká, nivaclé, sanapaná, enxet and tobaqom. Hemoglobin concentration and hematological parameters were determined using a hematological counter.

Serum iron and transferrin were determined by a colorimetric enzymatic method, and transfe- rrin saturation by manual calculation. In 40% (88/222) of the women, hemoglobin values under

12 g/dL were found. Hematological parameters were below established cut-off points in 33% of women for MCV, 22% for MCH and 16% for MCHC. These results indicate iron deficiency in different stages, which could have negative consequences including anemia, low resistance to infections, retardation in psychomotor development and cognitive function in children, as well as low academic performance and other pathologies, affecting a vulnerable population where most studied women were of a reproductive age.