Which of the following is most prone to iron deficiency?

January 13, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 1.2 billion people are affected by iron deficiency, making it one of the leading global causes of morbidity. Among the general population, the groups most vulnerable and prone to iron deficiency are pregnant women and infants, due to their significantly increased needs for this crucial mineral.

Quick Summary

Several groups face a heightened risk of developing iron deficiency, with pregnant women and infants topping the list due to physiological demands. Other at-risk populations include young children, menstruating women, and endurance athletes who experience increased iron loss or need. Dietary habits and malabsorption issues also contribute to vulnerability.

Key Points

Pregnant Women: Have an extremely high iron requirement due to increased maternal blood volume, fetal development, and placental growth.
Infants and Toddlers: Experience rapid growth that depletes iron stores from birth, particularly affecting premature or low-birth-weight babies.
Menstruating Women: Are at higher risk due to monthly blood loss, especially those with heavy periods.
Endurance Athletes: Face increased iron loss through sweat and physical activity, and post-exercise inflammation can inhibit iron absorption.
Vegans and Vegetarians: Rely on less bioavailable non-heme iron and must be mindful of dietary combinations to maximize absorption.
GI Condition Patients: Those with disorders like celiac disease or who have undergone gastric bypass surgery may experience impaired iron absorption.
Early Detection is Key: Identifying iron deficiency before it becomes anemia is critical to prevent adverse health effects on energy, cognition, and overall health.

Key Population Groups at Risk

Iron is an essential mineral for numerous bodily functions, including oxygen transport via hemoglobin, energy production, and immune function. While it is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide, its prevalence is concentrated within specific populations due to physiological changes, dietary factors, and lifestyle choices. Understanding these high-risk categories is crucial for effective screening, prevention, and treatment.

Pregnant Women

Pregnancy dramatically increases a woman's iron requirements to support the growing fetus and placenta, as well as the expansion of her own blood volume. The body's demand for iron can increase by tenfold during the course of a pregnancy, making it exceptionally difficult to meet needs through diet alone. If iron intake is insufficient, the mother's iron stores are depleted, which can have adverse consequences for both her and the baby. Risks include premature birth, low birth weight, and developmental problems in the infant.

Infants and Young Children

Babies, particularly those between 9 and 24 months, are highly susceptible to iron deficiency. While full-term infants are born with sufficient iron stores from their mothers, these stores are typically depleted within the first 4 to 6 months. For premature or low-birth-weight babies, these stores are even lower from birth. The rapid growth during infancy and early childhood creates a high iron demand that can be difficult to meet through diet. A common issue is excessive consumption of cow's milk, which is low in iron and can interfere with iron absorption, displacing iron-rich foods from the diet.

Menstruating Women and Teenage Girls

Women of childbearing age are at high risk for iron deficiency because of regular blood loss during menstruation. Women who experience heavy menstrual bleeding, a condition known as menorrhagia, are at an even greater risk. The iron lost each month must be replaced through diet, but many women do not consume enough bioavailable iron to compensate. For adolescent girls, this risk is compounded by growth spurts, which further increase iron needs.

Endurance Athletes

Athletes, especially endurance athletes like distance runners, face a higher risk of iron deficiency than the general population. Several factors contribute to this: a. Increased Iron Loss: Athletes lose iron through sweat, urine, and hemolysis, which is the destruction of red blood cells during intense physical activity. b. Inflammatory Response: Intense exercise causes a temporary increase in the hormone hepcidin, which reduces the body's ability to absorb iron from the gut for several hours post-workout. c. Dietary Restrictions: Some athletes, particularly female athletes and those on restrictive diets (e.g., vegetarian or vegan), may have insufficient iron intake.

Vegans and Vegetarians

Individuals who follow vegan or vegetarian diets are at increased risk because the iron in plant-based foods (non-heme iron) is not as readily absorbed by the body as the heme iron found in meat and fish. While a well-planned plant-based diet can provide adequate iron, it requires careful attention to iron-rich sources and food pairings, such as consuming vitamin C-rich foods with iron-rich plant foods to enhance absorption.

People with Gastrointestinal Conditions and Surgeries

Conditions that affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can impair iron absorption or lead to blood loss. These include: Celiac disease, which damages the small intestine lining where iron is absorbed. Inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Gastric bypass surgery, which bypasses parts of the small intestine involved in iron absorption. Chronic internal bleeding from ulcers, polyps, or certain cancers can also lead to significant iron loss over time.

Comparison of High-Risk Iron Deficiency Groups


Risk Group	Primary Reason for High Risk	Specific Challenges	Recommended Action
Pregnant Women	Increased physiological demand for blood volume, placenta, and fetus.	Difficult to meet requirements via diet alone.	Routine screening and targeted oral supplementation.
Infants (6-24 mos)	Rapid growth rate depletes iron stores.	Excessive cow's milk consumption can hinder absorption.	Iron-fortified formula or cereals; limiting cow's milk.
Menstruating Women	Monthly blood loss, especially with heavy periods.	Often have insufficient dietary iron intake to compensate.	Dietary modifications and potentially oral iron supplements.
Endurance Athletes	Increased iron loss through sweat and physical exertion.	Post-exercise inflammation inhibits absorption.	Dietary planning, strategic timing of supplements, regular monitoring.
Vegans/Vegetarians	Dependence on non-heme iron sources, which are less bioavailable.	Need to maximize absorption with vitamin C-rich foods.	Careful meal planning and potential supplementation.
GI Surgery Patients	Impaired absorption due to altered intestinal anatomy.	Supplementation often needed to correct malabsorption.	Medical management, possible IV iron therapy.

Why is early detection important?

Early detection of iron deficiency is crucial because it often begins without noticeable symptoms. This pre-anemic stage, or iron deficiency without anemia (IDNA), can still impact physical performance, mood, and cognitive function. As the deficiency progresses to iron deficiency anemia (IDA), symptoms become more pronounced and can lead to serious health complications, such as heart problems or delayed growth in children. Regular screening and monitoring for high-risk individuals can identify and treat the deficiency before it progresses to more severe stages. For pregnant women, managing iron status is a key part of prenatal care to ensure a healthy pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.

Conclusion: Prioritizing Vulnerable Populations

While iron deficiency affects people globally, specific groups are far more susceptible due to distinct physiological, dietary, and lifestyle factors. Pregnant women and infants stand out due to the immense iron demands of rapid growth and development. However, menstruating women, endurance athletes, individuals with restrictive diets, and those with gastrointestinal disorders are also highly prone. For all at-risk individuals, the most effective strategy involves prioritizing early screening, optimizing dietary iron intake, and using targeted supplementation when necessary to prevent the deficiency from progressing and impacting overall health and well-being. A healthcare provider can help determine the underlying cause and the most appropriate course of action for each individual.

Iron Deficiency Anemia: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Pregnant women are most prone because their body's iron requirements increase significantly to produce more blood for the growing fetus and placenta. Their iron demand can increase tenfold, making it difficult to meet needs through diet alone.

In infants and young children, iron deficiency can lead to developmental delays, slower growth, and a higher risk of infections. A key risk factor is the depletion of iron stores present at birth, especially if not adequately supplemented by iron-fortified foods or formula after six months.

Yes, athletes can become iron deficient due to increased iron loss from sweat and foot strike hemolysis during intense exercise. The temporary increase in the hormone hepcidin after exercise also temporarily inhibits iron absorption, further increasing their risk.

The primary risk factor for women of childbearing age is the loss of blood during heavy menstrual periods. Many women do not consume enough iron-rich foods to replenish what is lost each month, leading to a gradual depletion of iron stores over time.

Vegetarians and vegans are at higher risk because the iron in plant-based foods (non-heme iron) is not absorbed as efficiently by the body as the heme iron from meat and animal products. They must carefully plan meals and pair iron-rich plant foods with vitamin C to enhance absorption.

Yes, medical conditions that cause chronic internal blood loss, such as peptic ulcers, polyps, and inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease, can lead to iron deficiency. Surgeries like gastric bypass can also impair iron absorption.

Symptoms of iron deficiency include fatigue, weakness, pale skin, cold hands and feet, headaches, and a sore tongue. For infants and toddlers, it might appear as irritability or a lack of appetite. A blood test is the only definitive way to diagnose iron deficiency, and it should be interpreted by a healthcare professional.