Nutritional anemia results from deficiency in either iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid, although in most areas of the world, nutritional anemia is synonymous with iron deficiency. Nutritional anemia occurs most commonly at times of heightened physiologic requirements. It is considered a major health problem in developing countries, although it is not a serious concern for the general U.S. population. Iron deficiency without frank anemia, however, does affect some segments of the U.S. population, such as pregnant and menstruating women and children.
营养性贫血是由铁、维生素B12或叶酸缺乏引起的，尽管在世界上大多数地区，营养性贫血与缺铁同义。营养性贫血最常发生在生理需求增加的时候。它被认为是发展中国家的一个主要健康问题，尽管它不是美国普通人群的严重问题。然而，没有明显贫血的缺铁确实会影响美国人群的某些部分，如孕妇、经期妇女和儿童。
