Table 3.

Causes and important associations of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia in women of child-bearing age

Developing nations	Developed nations
Food shortage   - Lack of food, either sustained or cyclic   - Poor nutrient quality   Infestations   - Hookworm   - Giardia   - Other: tapeworm, schistosomiasis  Concurrent diseases   - Malaria   - HIV   - Haemoglobinopathies   - Coeliac disease  Short inter-pregnancy intervals	Dietary  - Poor oral intake of red meat (specifically)  - Nutritional disorders (anorexia, bulimia)  - Vegetarian or vegan diet  - Excessive ingestion (with meals) of calcium, teas (including herbal), coffee Malabsorption:  - Coeliac disease  - Crohn's disease Menorrhagia High socio-economic status Blood donation Low socio-economic status Ethnic minorities  - Native  - Immigrant