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. 2018 Apr;34(2):204-215.
doi: 10.1007/s12288-018-0949-6. Epub 2018 Mar 14.

Management of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pregnancy in India

Rimpy Tandon  1 , Arihant Jain  2 , Pankaj Malhotra  2
Affiliations

Management of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pregnancy in India

Rimpy Tandon et al. Indian J Hematol Blood Transfus. 2018 Apr.

Abstract

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) continues to be the commonest etiology of anemia in pregnancy. The prevalence of iron deficiency (ID) in pregnant Indian women is amongst the highest in the world. Untreated iron deficiency (ID) has significant adverse feto-maternal consequences. Plethora of investigations are available for diagnosis of IDA, each having specific advantages and disadvantages when used in the pregnancy setting. Therapy for ID includes dietary modification, oral iron supplementation, intravenous iron and blood transfusion. Newer parenteral iron preparations are safe and there is mounting evidence to suggest their use in frontline settings for pregnancy associated IDA in the second and third trimester. Through this review, we suggest an algorithm for diagnosis and treatment of IDA in pregnancy depending on the severity of anemia and period of gestation suited for widespread use in resource limited settings. Also, we recommend ways for increasing public awareness and tackling this health issue including the observance of "National Anemia Awareness and Treatment Day."

Keywords: India; Iron deficiency anemia; Pregnancy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Compliance with Ethical StandardsAll authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.This article does not involve any study with participation with human participants or animals by the authors.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Global and national trends in IDA in women of reproductive age group [9]
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Approach to IDA in pregnancy. Hb hemoglobin; IDA iron deficiency anemia; CRP C reactive protein; POG period of gestation; TSat transferrin saturation; IV intravenous
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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