[Pregnancy and iron prophylaxis--how and how much?].
Iron is essential for normal foetal development. Iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy is a risk factor for preterm delivery and low birth weight in the newborn. Iron supplementation during gestation increases plasma ferritin and haemoglobin and reduces the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia. As from June 2008, The Danish National Board of Health had been advocating general iron prophylaxis in pregnancy with 40 mg ferrous iron from the 10th gestation week to delivery. However, the authors suggest that individual prophylaxis according to plasma ferritin should be preferred to general prophylaxis.
Rigshospitalet, Juliane Marie Centeret, og Gentofte Hospital, Gynaekologisk-obstetrisk Klinik, Denmark. nils.mil@dadlnet.dk
Nils
N
Milman
Jens
J
Hertz
D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors
D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron