Iron deficiency anemia is relatively common in pregnant women and can affect the newborn. Adequate iron intake can avoid the problem. The authors are from Emek Medical Center, Baruch Padeh Medical Center Poriya, Bar-ilan University and Technion in Israel.
Patient selection: pregnant woman
Parameters:
(1) hemoglobin at 24-30 weeks in g/dL
(2) iron supplementation
(3) hemoglobin 4 weeks later in g/dL
If the hemoglobin at 24-30 weeks is less than 10.6 g/dL, then increase the dose of oral supplements or consider IV iron therapy.
If the hemoglobin at 24-30 weeks is >= 10.6 g/dL and if there is infrequent use of iron supplements, then increase oral iron intake.
If the hemoglobin at 24-30 weeks is >= 10.6 g/dL and if there is frequent use of iron supplements, then continue current regimen.
If the hemoglobin after 4 weeks is less than 10.6 g/dL, then start IV iron therapy and evaluate for other causes of anemia.
If the hemoglobin after 4 weeks is >= 10.6 g/dL, then continue current iron intake.
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