Final answer:
Most susceptible to iatrogenic anemia are individuals with frequent medical interventions, certain dietary limitations or chronic conditions, pregnant women, and professionals at risk of needle sticks. Vulnerable populations include those with irregularities like iron or vitamin deficiencies, G6PD deficiency, and women of childbearing age due to menstruation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Individuals who are most susceptible to iatrogenic anemia, a type of anemia caused by medical treatment or diagnostic procedures, typically include those undergoing frequent blood tests, patients with chronic conditions that require recurrent bloodwork, and populations with medical conditions predisposing them to anemia. For example, iron deficiency anemia is common amongst teens, children, vegans, and vegetarians due to dietary insufficiency. It can also result from malabsorption or chronic bleeding. Conversely, vitamin-deficient anemias are tied to inadequate levels of vitamin B12 and folate, which can be due to poor diet, malabsorption issues related to conditions like Crohn's disease or gastric surgery, or increased needs during pregnancy.
Pregnant women and those who bleed excessively due to menstruation or childbirth are also at higher risk. Moreover, various disease processes like chronic kidney disease, hypothyroidism, and specific forms of cancer can lead to anemia, as well as inherited conditions such as aplastic anemia and thalassemia. Certain populations, such as those with G6PD deficiency, are at risk of hemolytic anemia under states of oxidative stress from infections, medications, or certain foods.
In the United States, women of childbearing age are significantly more likely to have iron-deficiency anemia compared to adult men, with menstruation being the most common cause for young women. Various professionals, such as drug addicts, dentists, and phlebotomists, are at risk of iatrogenic anemia due to increased exposure to infectious agents or higher risk of needle sticks.