Deficiency of iron causes

Deficiency of iron in the human body leads to anaemia, a condition characterized by a lack of healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin. Iron is a critical micronutrient, and its deficiency is the most common cause of anaemia globally, often manifesting through symptoms such as pallor, fatigue, irritability, and impaired cognition. While iron deficiency is a primary cause, anaemia can also result from deficiencies in vitamin B12 or folate [1]. In contrast, other options represent different medical conditions: scurvy is caused by a deficiency of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) [2], and rickets is a bone-related disorder resulting from a lack of vitamin D in children. Cholera is not a deficiency disease but an infectious diarrheal disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Therefore, iron deficiency is specifically linked to anaemia.

Sources

1. [1] Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 6: Adolescence: A Stage of Growth and Change > Science and Society > p. 80
2. [2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493187/