Lack of Iron Could Be Doing More Harm Than You Think

A recent study has revealed a strong link between iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and an increased risk of ischemic stroke in young adults.

The groundbreaking research, published in the journal eJHaem, highlights how IDA can significantly impact stroke risk among younger populations.

IDA, the most common form of anemia, occurs when the body lacks enough iron to produce healthy red blood cells. Women are especially vulnerable to IDA due to regular iron loss during menstruation and increased iron needs during pregnancy.

Alarmingly, maternal anemia has also been associated with a higher risk of developmental conditions in children, including intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Although 10–15% of all stroke patients are between 18 and 50 years old—a group also at risk for IDA—comprehensive data linking the two conditions has been lacking.

To bridge this gap, researchers from the University of Cincinnati conducted a pioneering study to examine the relationship between IDA and ischemic stroke risk in young adults.

The team analyzed medical records of patients aged 15 to 50, both with and without a history of ischemic stroke, across 300 hospitals in the United States. Participants were divided into two groups: those newly diagnosed with ischemic stroke (Group A) and those with no prior stroke history (Group B).

The study excluded patients with conditions such as thrombocytosis, cancer, atrial fibrillation, antiphospholipid syndrome, prior strokes, pregnancy-related hemoglobin disorders, use of oral contraceptives, thrombophilia, obesity, and those who had taken anticoagulants in the year prior.

Of 21,802,239 patients reviewed, 36,989 were placed in Group A, while 21,765,250 were assigned to Group B. Among those in Group A, 1,880 patients (5.1%) had a previous diagnosis of IDA, and 241,110 (1.10%) were newly diagnosed.

Group A patients also had higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, and obesity compared to Group B. Most notably, individuals with a history of IDA were found to have a significantly elevated stroke risk. IDA independently increased the risk by 39% (P < 0.001).

The study also revealed a statistically significant interaction between IDA, age, and non-Caucasian race about stroke risk.

Based on these findings, the researchers predicted that African Americans aged 20–39 with IDA face a higher risk of ischemic stroke than white adults aged 40–50 without IDA.

The team concluded that there is a clear association between a history of IDA and ischemic stroke in young adults. Given the high prevalence of IDA in this age group, they emphasized the urgent need for effective screening strategies to prevent stroke and other related complications.