Global prevalence of iron deficiency anemia and its variation with different gestational age systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Introduction

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of microcytic hypochromic anemia, which predominantly affects pregnant women globally. Even though it is a public health problem, there is limited information on the pooled burden.

Objective

To determine the global prevalence of iron deficiency among pregnant women and its variation with different gestational ages.

Methods

To conduct this study, we followed the criteria on guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and meta-analysis. We registered the study protocol on PROSPERO with the reference number CRD42024499368 and Relevant information was found by searching scientific databases such as Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Springer, Web of Science, Wiley online library, Google Scholar, scientific information database, biomedical journal database, and the global medical article library. All population-based studies and national surveys with data on the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women globally that were published up to June 28, 2023, were included in the study. The inclusion criteria were applied to all relevant articles. STATA software (Ver. 11.1) was used to analyze the data using a random effect model. I² test statistics were employed to ascertain the degree of heterogeneity. The Egger-weighted regression test and funnel plot analysis were employed to identify publication bias.

Results

The thirty-nine articles with a sample size of 33869 were included in this study. The pooled prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among pregnant women was 18.98% (CI: 95%; 18.15–19.81%) with highest magnitude in North Africa region (36.68% (95% CI 35.76, 37.60). The burden was highest during the second trimester (27.8%) followed by the third (5.44%) and the first trimesters (2.34%).

Conclusions and recommendation

Iron deficiency anemia is a public health problem among pregnant women especially North African region, even though its magnitude is decreased years after 2015. As a result, every stakeholder should implement preventative measures, and intervention strategies like iron supplementation and nutritional support, particularly during the second trimester.