Importance of Iron in Pregnancy

Importance of Iron in Pregnancy
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(September 29, 2011)
Importance of Iron in Pregnancy
Introduction
Iron is one of the essential nutrients that the body requires in large amounts for its daily activities. It is a core component of hemoglobin; a blood protein that makes up the red blood cells and that is responsible for transportation of oxygen to body tissues. In addition, iron plays a vital role in various cell activities such as digestion; enzymes that aid in digestion are made up of Iron (CDC, 2011a). Iron is readily available from foods such as meat, liver and other organ meats, chicken and fish. Other sources include green leafy vegetables, whole meal cereals and their products, seeds, legumes, nuts, fruits and beverages such as Milo (Queensland Government, 2010; Royal Women`s Hospital, 2008).
Iron from plant products is not readily absorbed by the body, adding vitamin C rich foods such as citrus fruits, vegetables- broccoli and cauliflower and potatoes can make non-heme iron more bio-available to the body (Norfolk NHS). Vitamin C foods can also accompany animal products diets to ensure maximum iron absorption. Iron uptake can also be hindered by high concentrations of certain substances in the body, these substances bind iron making it unavailable for use; examples include phytates, tannins and some drugs ("Iron Absorption", 2001). When Iron is consumed in low levels especially in pure vegetarian diets, deficiencies such as iron deficiency anemia may result. Apart from diet iron can also be obtained from supplements and in this case, care should be taken to avoid intake of excess iron that may result in toxicity.
In pregnancy, the fetus has no capacity to transport oxygen for its needs and hence totally depends on the mother for supply. For this reason, it is important that the mother maintains good iron levels right before pregnancy and continues to take more iron as the pregnancy advances since demands increase to about 30-50 mg (Bedi, 2007). This paper will discuss further the importance of iron in various stages of pregnancy, the difference between iron deficiency anemia and iron deficiency, effects of iron supplementation on pregnancy and whether supplementation should be taken regularly in pregnancy.
Iron in pregnancy
In general iron is required for a smooth pregnancy and birth. Bedi (2007) asserts that low iron levels during pregnancy are the core cause of fatigue, fainting episodes and various other health problems. According to Shu & Ogbodo (2005), more iron is required in the second trimester to facilitate the multiplication of red blood cells and in the third trimester for organ growth and development as well as placenta enlargement. This does not mean that less iron is required in the first trimester, in fact Alwan et al. (2011), emphasize that low iron levels during this period increase chances of pre-term births, congenital defect and possible high blood pressure and obesity in the children later in life. Further research by Rasmussen (2001) augments these facts and shows that iron is important at all stages of pregnancy for good birth outcomes; normal birth weight, reduced premature births, reduced abnormalities, low neonatal and maternal deaths.
Despite the risks associated with low iron levels during pregnancy, the hard fact is that most women especially in developing countries enter into pregnancy with low iron stores and do not access foods rich in iron and sufficient supplementation and healthcare during pregnancy hence in most nations, iron deficiency and associated anemia are significant public health concerns (Shu, & Ogbodo, 2005), The next section will discuss the deficiencies in detail
Differences between iron deficiency anemia & iron deficiency
Iron deficiency refers to the state whereby the iron levels fall below the normal levels; it occurs due to low intake of iron. On the other hand iron deficiency anemia is a condition that develops as a result of iron deficiency (CDC, 2011a) with exceptional cases such as in the elderly whereby anemia develops as a result of chronic diseases complications and excessive use of drugs such as non-steroid anti- inflammatory drugs. In non pregnant women, the WHO cut-off of 12g/dl hemoglobin levels is used to diagnose anemia while in men is 13g/dl (Muhopadhyay, & Mohanaruban, 2002). Iron deficiency is common among girls and women of menstrual ages as well as pregnant women because of the high demands the body exerts on these categories. Consequently, iron deficiency anemia incidences are higher in these groups. Iron deficiency anemia has also been observed to be prevalent in region endemic to diseases such as malaria and vitamin A deficiency (Duggan, et al. 2008, p84). Both iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia can be reversed by increasing quantity of iron consumed in the diet as well as taking iron supplements as prescribed by a physician. The next section will provide an insight into iron supplementation.
Iron Supplementation in Pregnancy
Iron supplementation is common especially in pregnancy first because of the high prevalence of iron deficiency anemia especially in developing nations and secondly because of the general perception that pregnant women may never get enough from the diet to meet their increased needs. This implies that where there are supplementation programs, there may be increased risks of toxicity because some individuals may be at the right iron levels when blanket programs are rolled...