Iron Deficiency Anemia And Pregnancy
Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most common illnesses during pregnancy. Therefore, it is necessary to follow some guidelines to avoid it.
What is iron deficiency anemia?
Anemia is a disease defined as a decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin (Hb) in the blood. Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells, which binds with oxygen to be later transported to different tissues in the body.
During pregnancy, there is an increase in iron requirements, so it is necessary to increase the mother’s bodily reserves. The main objective is to avoid the deficiency of this trace element and the complications that it entails.
Parameters that define it
As for biochemical indicators, it is considered anemia in pregnancy when the hemoglobin concentration is less than 11.0 g/dl during the first and third trimesters or less than 10.5 g/dl during the second trimester.
Is it common to suffer from this disease?
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), 41.8% of pregnant women in the world suffer from some type of anemia. Iron deficiency anemia is the most frequent nutritional deficiency among pregnant women.
In Europe, it is estimated that the prevalence is 25.1% and, more specifically in Spain, 17.6%. However, the numbers and consequences resulting from having this disease worsen when we talk about the African continent, where more than half of women (57%) suffer from it.
Therefore, if we want to delve into the distribution of anemia prevalence worldwide, this map published by WHO gives us complete clarity.
What consequences might this have?
On the one hand, iron deficiency during pregnancy has been associated with prematurity, low birth weight, reduced physical and neurological development of newborns, infectious diseases and increased perinatal mortality.
But, on the other hand, it is worth noting that its excess also has negative effects, such as premature birth, pre-eclampsia or fetal neurological disorders. Therefore, it is very important not to supplement it without the supervision of a professional.
How to prevent the onset of iron deficiency anemia?
Without a doubt, the simplest and most effective way to treat iron deficiency anemia is through prevention. Adequate nutrition before pregnancy can help not only to prevent its onset, but also to encourage the formation of new iron stores in the expectant mother’s body.
To do this, we need to include certain guidelines in our diet, such as the ones we’ll propose below, that allow for adequate intake and assimilation of iron in the diet.
nutritional recommendations
- Increase your intake of iron-rich foods, such as:
- Clams: clams, cockles…
- Fish.
- Eggs.
- Green leafy vegetables: spinach, Swiss chard…
- Oilseeds: pistachios.
- Seeds: sunflower seed.
- Legumes: lentils.
- Consume foods that are a source of vitamin C. This vitamin promotes iron absorption, thus increasing its bioavailability. Among foods with high concentrations of this vitamin, we find:
- Fruits: blackcurrant, kiwi, persimmon, strawberries, citrus fruits…
- Vegetables: peppers, broccoli, sweet potatoes…
- Do not drink coffee, tea and chocolate until 1 hour after eating. Certain compounds in these foods interfere with iron absorption, so it is not recommended to consume them right after main meals.
- Avoid taking calcium supplements for up to 2 hours after main meals. Calcium, essential for bone formation, can also make iron absorption difficult. For this reason, in the case of women taking supplements, this should be done 2 hours before or after eating.
In conclusion, it is worth emphasizing the importance of food in the health status of the mother and the future baby. For this reason, we must emphasize and insist on the importance of eating quality food that allows you to enjoy pregnancy and motherhood with the least possible complications.
