Maternal Health

Maternal iron deficiency anaemia

Anaemia is a condition in which there are not enough healthy red blood cells or haemoglobin to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues. Anaemia is a global threat among pregnant and postpartum women, and menstruating adolescent girls, both in high-income and low- and middle-income countries.

Globally, it is estimated that 37% of pregnant women are affected by anaemia, with the most common cause being dietary iron deficiency. Among pregnant women, iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) anaemia is a risk factor for low birth weight, preterm birth, postpartum haemorrhage, and maternal, perinatal and neonatal mortality. While iron supplementation is a common preventive and treatment strategy for IDA, the bioavailability and absorption from different iron preparations can vary, potentially limiting their impact. Sector-wide efforts to address maternal iron deficiency anaemia over the past two decades have had a minimal impact on the burden of disease.