Sickle cell anemia most often affects blacks of African-American descent and Hispanic Americans. Some artificial heart valves also increase the risk of red blood cell destruction by directly injuring cells. In nonpregnant women, excessive menstrual bleeding may cause anemia. In pregnant women, a growing fetus may deplete the body's stores of iron. Growing infants, children and adolescents.
Growth spurts require increased amounts of iron.
Children who have lead poisoning. Adults who experience blood loss from their digestive tract. In pernicious anemia, the basis of the deficiency of vitamin B-12 often is hereditary. People of northern European ancestry are at a higher risk. Folic acid deficiency anemia occurs often in alcoholics.