Pharmacological management of anaemia in pregnancy: a review
Antonia Shand, Kathryn Austin, Natasha Nassar, Giselle Kidson‐Gerber
Abstract
Abstract Anaemia in pregnancy is defined as a haemoglobin (Hb) level of <110 g/L before 20 weeks' gestation or <105 g/L at or after 20 weeks' gestation. Anaemia is a common complication of pregnancy and is associated with maternal, foetal and infant morbidity and in rare circumstances mortality. Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is the most common cause of anaemia in Australian pregnant women, although other causes should be considered. Prevention of IDA and adequate treatment for all pregnant women with IDA is recommended. First line treatment of IDA in pregnancy is oral iron replacement. Recent knowledge has suggested lower doses of iron supplementation may be as effective as higher doses. Intravenous iron is a second line treatment for IDA. We present a review of the causes of anaemia, a suggested algorithm for investigation of anaemia in pregnancy and a review of treatment options reflecting current understanding of the physiology of iron absorption.