title: Routine iron supplements in pregnancy are unnecessary.
abstract: Women commonly take iron supplements during pregnancy. Many feel tired when pregnant, commonly their haemoglobin concentrations fall and it is known that iron is taken up preferentially by the developing fetus. In such circumstances additional iron appears justified. However, scientific support for this approach is weak. In this article we ask whether the routine use of iron supplements alters the outcome for mother or child.
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D007501:Iron