Iron-Deficiency Anemia
Types: Disease, Symptom
Definition
A condition characterized by insufficient red blood cells due to severe iron depletion.
Clinical Details
Adult hookworms actively suck blood from the intestinal mucosa, rapidly digesting the erythrocytes and secreting anticoagulants to keep the bite wounds bleeding. The chronic, daily loss of blood far exceeds the host's dietary iron intake and bone marrow replacement capacity. This results in profound pallor, lethargy, and cardiovascular stress.