Meeting these demands depends on her iron levels before pregnancy and her body's ability to absorb more iron as pregnancy progresses. However, these physiological changes often aren't enough, especially for the with low iron stores. Surprisingly, iron deficiency is not just a problem in low-resource settings. show that 33-42% of pregnant women in high-resource countries also suffer from iron deficiency. THE IMPACT OF IRON DEFICIENCY , where the body struggles to produce enough hemoglobin, reducing the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, where the body struggles to produce enough hemoglobin, reducing the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. (Photo: Getty Images)This condition is linked to a higher risk of adverse outcomes for both the mother and the baby, including:

• Maternal Risks: Postpartum hemorrhage, postpartum depression
• Infant Risks: Preterm birth, low birth weight, long-term neurodevelopmental challenges

INCONSISTENT IRON DEFICIENCY SCREENING Despite these risks, screening for iron deficiency during pregnancy is not a universal practice. The US Preventive Services Task Force, for instance, finds insufficient evidence to support routine screening for iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women. On the other hand, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics recommends that all pregnant women, regardless of their anemia status, should be screened for iron deficiency. Despite these risks, screening for iron deficiency during pregnancy is not a universal practice. (Photo: Getty Images)In clinical settings, hemoglobin levels are often the only measure used to assess iron status. However, this is problematic since hemoglobin only detects anemia, not iron deficiency, allowing iron deficiency to go undetected before it advances. ALL ABOUT THE STUDY A new study titled 'Longitudinal Evaluation of Iron Status during Pregnancy' provides crucial insights into how iron levels change throughout pregnancy. Conducted in Ireland, it involved 641 women who were tracked at 15, 20, and 33 weeks of pregnancy to assess their iron status. The study found that while none of the , over 80% became iron deficient by the third trimester. The prevalence of iron deficiency in these women was higher than in some low-resource settings. The study revealed that nearly three-quarters of the women took iron-containing supplements, which were associated with a reduced risk of iron deficiency, particularly in the third trimester. The study found that while none of the women were anemic in the first trimester, over 80% became iron deficient by the third trimester. (Photo: Getty Images)This highlights the potential benefits of . The researchers proposed that ferritin levels, a protein that stores iron, at 15 weeks of pregnancy could predict iron deficiency later in pregnancy. They recommended a threshold of 60 µg of ferritin per litre at 15 weeks to reduce the risk of iron deficiency by 33 weeks. STUDY CRITICISES LACK OF IRON DEFICIENCY SCREENING In an editorial accompanying the study, authors Michael Auerbach and Helain Landy criticised the medical community's inconsistent approach to iron deficiency screening and treatment for pregnant women. They called it "misogyny" and urged institutions like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to revise their guidelines to recommend screening all pregnant women for iron deficiency, regardless of anemia status. The authors of the study stressed the need for more large-scale research to establish consensus on the best practices for screening and treating iron deficiency in pregnancy. Their findings highlight the importance of addressing iron deficiency early to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.