Final answer:
Individuals at greatest risk for iatrogenic anemia include those with frequent blood loss, healthcare workers with a risk of needle sticks, victims of chronic diseases, and those with dietary insufficiencies or absorption impairments.
Step-by-step explanation:
Those at greatest risk for iatrogenic anemia are individuals who frequently experience blood loss and require multiple blood tests and procedures. This includes chronic patients with conditions such as infections in drug addicts, healthcare workers like phlebotomists and dentists with a higher risk of needle sticks, and patients undergoing frequent medical testing. Blood loss anemias can result from excessive bleeding due to ulcers, hemorrhoids, and some cancers. These health conditions, along with the excessive use of medications like aspirin, can lead to gastritis, which may contribute to anemia. Furthermore, individuals who have dietary insufficiencies, like those with low iron intake including vegans and vegetarians, are at risk for iron deficiency anemia. Additionally, disease processes like chronic kidney disease, hypothyroidism, and chronic medical conditions such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis can lead to anemias.
Megaloblastic anemia is often related to deficiencies in vitamin B12 and folate, occurring in diets lacking in these nutrients or in conditions that impair absorption, such as Crohn's disease. Pernicious anemia is a specific type of vitamin deficiency anemia caused by the poor absorption of vitamin B12. Lastly, G6PD deficiency presents a risk for hemolytic anemia in states of oxidative stress, commonly triggered by infection, certain medications, and specific foods.