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Effects of Iron Deficiency on the Oropharyngeal Region: Signs, Symptoms, and Biological Changes

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Handbook of Famine, Starvation, and Nutrient Deprivation

Abstract

Iron is the most abundant essential trace element inside human body. Iron deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide. It reportedly causes reduction in working capacity, hampers mental development in growing children and young adults, and significantly worsens the quality of daily life. Nonpregnant women in reproductive age group and pregnant women are equally vulnerable to iron deficiency. Apart from systemic signs and symptoms like pallor, fatigability, palpitations, koilonychia, light headedness, and shortness of breath, oropharyngeal region can also provide important diagnostic clues to this systemic condition. Moreover, other oral conditions such as aphthous ulcers and burning mouth syndrome; premalignant conditions such as Plummer Vinson syndrome, oral lichen planus, and oral submucous fibrosis; and malignant disease such as oral squamous carcinoma have been associated with iron deficient state. This review appraises various signs and symptoms encountered within oropharyngeal region in the iron deficient state and underlying biological changes responsible for those clinical manifestations.

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Abbreviations

ASHA:

Accredited social health activist

BMS:

Burning mouth syndrome

DNA:

Deoxyribonucleic acid

Govt. & Govt. Aided:

Government and government aided

IDA:

Iron deficiency anemia

IFA:

Iron/Folic acid

NFHS-3:

National Family Health Survey-3

NRHM:

National Rural Health Mission

OLP:

Oral lichen planus

OSCC:

Oral squamous cell carcinoma

OSMF:

Oral submucous fibrosis

PVS:

Plummer Vinson syndrome

RBC:

Red blood cells

SLA:

Sex-linked anemic

TfR:

Transferrin receptor

WHO:

World Health organization

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Sarjug Dental College and Hospital, Hospital road, Leharia sarai, 846001, Darbhanga, Bihar, India

    Preeti Tomar Bhattacharya

  2. Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Institute of Dental Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Siksha O Anusandhan University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

    Satya Ranjan Misra

Authors
  1. Preeti Tomar Bhattacharya
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  2. Satya Ranjan Misra
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Preeti Tomar Bhattacharya .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Diabetes & Nutritional Sci Div Sch, King's College London, London, United Kingdom

    Victor Preedy

  2. Clinical Biochemistry, University of Westminster, Westminster, United Kingdom

    Vinood B. Patel

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Bhattacharya, P.T., Misra, S.R. (2017). Effects of Iron Deficiency on the Oropharyngeal Region: Signs, Symptoms, and Biological Changes. In: Preedy, V., Patel, V. (eds) Handbook of Famine, Starvation, and Nutrient Deprivation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40007-5_4-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40007-5_4-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-40007-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-40007-5

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