Iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy (literature review)

Iron deficiency anaemia is a global public health problem, particularly affecting pregnant women. The association between anaemia and poor maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes is now well established. Anemia is increasingly recognized as a potentially modifiable risk factor for postpartum haemorrhage, a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes include preterm birth, growth restriction and increased mortality. Maternal iron deficiency may also be associated with neurocognitive impairment in infants. Iron requirements increase during pregnancy and are influenced by hepcidin, a master regulator of iron homeostasis. Recent advances in our understanding of systemic and placental iron homeostasis may improve therapeutic efficacy by altering the dose and frequency of oral iron supplementation. Future studies should be adequately powered to assess patient-centred outcomes and cost- effectiveness in pregnant women