An Overview of Anemia in Pregnancy

Abstract

Anemia is the commonest hematological disorder that occurs in pregnancy. According to the recent standard laid down by ‘WHO’, anemia is present when the Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration in the peripheral blood is 11 gm/dl or less. The most common cause of anemia in pregnancy is lack of iron. Less often, it is caused by folic acid deficiency. In some populations, 80% of pregnant women are anemic. Those most at risk are women from low socio-economic groups and teenagers. Anemia is diagnosed by estimating the hemoglobin concentration and examining a peripheral blood smear for the characteristic red blood cell changes. Iron and folate supplementation is indicated during pregnancy to prevent the complications. Even in normal pregnancy, the hemoglobin concentration becomes diluted according to the increase in the volume of circulating blood. Since iron and folic acid in amounts necessary for the fetus are preferentially transported to the fetus, the mother is likely to develop iron deficiency anemia and folic acid deficiency anemia. An adult woman has about 2 g of iron in her body. When a woman becomes pregnant, the demand for iron increases, necessitating an additional 1 g.