Anemia in pregnancy

Abstract

Anemia is one of the most commonly encountered medical disorders during pregnancy. In developing countries it is a cause of serious concern as, besides many other adverse effects on the mother and the fetus it contributes significantly high maternal mortality. According to world Health Organization estimates, up to 56% of all women living in developing countries are anemic . In India, National Family Health Survey -2 in 1998 to 99 shows that 54% of women in rural and 46% women in urban areas are anemics. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the commonest type of anemia in pregnancy. As most women start their pregnancy with anemia or low iron stores, so prevention should start even before pregnancy. . The Ministry of Health, Government of India has now recommended intake of 100 mg of elemental iron with 500 mg of folic acid in the second half of pregnancy for a period of at least 100 days. Women who receive daily antenatal iron supplementation are less likely to have iron deficiency anemia at term. . This review is an effort to appraise about the various types of anemia in pregnancy, their implications on the maternal and fetal outcome, and long-term effects on the woman.