Iron Deficiency in Pregnancy: A Brief Review

This paper highlights iron defi ciency anaemia in pregnancy; its prevalence, causes, screening, and management. Iron defi ciency is a spectrum that ranges from iron depletion to iron defi ciency anaemia. Iron defi ciency is the most common and leading cause of anaemia in pregnancy both in developed and underdeveloped countries. The incidence of iron defi ciency anaemia varies worldwide depending on differences in race, socioeconomic factors, nutritional status, health condition, and the frequency of parasitic illnesses. Untreated Iron defi ciency has signifi cant adverse foetal and maternal consequences. The management of iron defi ciency anaemia includes education regarding dietary modifi cation, specifi cally ways to enhance iron absorption and iron supplementation. Although oral supplementation is typically the mainstay of treatment, more severe cases of iron defi ciency anaemia may require intravenous supplementation.