Iron Therapy in Pregnant Women

Abstract

Pregnancy is characterized by a remarkable maternal physiological change with an intense fetal growth that needs adequate nutrition. Epidemiological evidence suggest that between 11% and 45% of women in Western countries of childbearing age have depleted iron stores [1] and this explains why most pregnant women are found with totally depleted iron stores. Limited iron stores may lead to iron deficiency that is the most leading cause of anemia in pregnancy [2]. The prevalence of iron deficiency in pregnancy depends much on the economic status of the population and it varies from 20% to 90% [3].