III: Diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs and certain disorders involving the immune mechanism

D50-D53: Nutritional anaemias

Nutritional anaemias are a group of conditions characterized primarily by the inadequate amount of healthy red blood cells in the body resulting from nutritional deficiencies. Usually, these deficiencies are of iron, vitamin B12, or folate, each leading to a different type of anaemia. When the body doesn't have enough of these nutrients, it can't produce enough healthy red blood cells, which are vital in carrying oxygen throughout the body. Hence, common symptoms common to all types of nutritional anaemias include fatigue, weakness, lightheadedness, and paleness. In severe or prolonged cases, these conditions can lead to heart problems due to the increased workload posed on the heart to pump oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. Unlike other forms of anaemia, nutritional anaemias are not contagious and can be corrected with dietary changes or supplements to address the specific nutrient deficiency.