Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pregnancy: An Overview

Abstract

The most common and also the most overlooked dietary deficiency in the world is iron deficiency anaemia. It is not only a problem in developing countries or in countries with few resources, but it is also a problem in industrialised ones. The main goal of this article is to raise awareness about the prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy, the aetiology of anaemia in pregnancy (not just during pregnancy but throughout adolescence) and the prevention of anaemia in pregnancy by extending the vision to the adolescent age group in order to reduce the risk of nutritional deficiency anaemia during pregnancy. Because of their increased iron requirements for rapid growth and menstrual blood loss, adolescent girls are particularly sensitive to this illness. Poor nutrition is the most common cause of anaemia, which is caused not only by socioeconomic reasons but also by cultural and other conditioning factors such as viral infections, which promote malnutrition in teenagers. Malaria, intestinal parasites, diarrhoea, and tuberculosis are among diseases that cause malnutrition. Anemia’s severity and length are crucial during pregnancy since it increases the risk of preterm delivery, low birth weight, maternal mortality, and other complications. Anemia is a worldwide health issue that affects about one-third of the world’s population and is one of the primary causes of disability. Anemia in pregnancy is associated with a high rate of morbidity and death due to a woman’s inability to respond to postpartum blood loss, which can have life-threatening effects. Iron deficiency anaemia has a direct link to hunger; according to the WHO, iron deficiency anaemia occurs in 50-80% of areas with chronic malnutrition. However, iron insufficiency is becoming more widespread in wealthy countries, with an increase of 20%. Iron insufficiency is quite common in women of reproductive age, with roughly 30% of them suffering from it.