Iron deficiency is the most prevalent deficiency disorder and iron deficiency anemia the most frequent form of anemia in pregnant women. Minor causes of anemia are folate and vitamin B12 deficiency, hemoglobinopathy and hemolytic anemia. Anemia is defined as hemoglobin <110 g/L in 1st and 3rd trimester and <105 g/L in 2nd trimester. The diag nosis relies on analysis of hemoglobin, a full blood count and plasma ferritin, which can be supported by plasma transferrin saturation and serum soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR). Among non-pregnant women of reproductive age, 40% have ferritin below 30 μg/L, which indicates small or absent iron reserves and therefore a poor iron status with respect to future pregnancy. Requirements for absorbed iron increase during pregnancy from 0.8 mg/day in 1st trimester to 7.5 mg/day in 3rd trimester, on the average 4.4 mg/day. Among women of reproductiv...

Iron deficiency is the most prevalent deficiency disorder and iron deficiency anemia the most frequent form of anemia in pregnant women. Minor causes of anemia are folate and vitamin B12 deficiency, hemoglobinopathy and hemolytic anemia. Anemia is defined as hemoglobin <110 g/L in 1st and 3rd trimester and <105 g/L in 2nd trimester. The diag nosis relies on analysis of hemoglobin, a full blood count and plasma ferritin, which can be supported by plasma transferrin saturation and serum soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR). Among non-pregnant women of reproductive age, 40% have ferritin below 30 μg/L, which indicates small or absent iron reserves and therefore a poor iron status with respect to future pregnancy. Requirements for absorbed iron increase during pregnancy from 0.8 mg/day in 1st trimester to 7.5 mg/day in 3rd trimester, on the average 4.4 mg/day. Among women of repro...