Anemia is a condition in which you lack enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to our body's tissues. Anemia is the commonest problem in women of reproductive age. According to WHO the prevalence of anemia in reproductive women aged 15-49 years is 29.9%, anemia contributes to 20% of maternal deaths across the globe making it the most important condition to be addressed during the pregnancy.
In pregnancy, Anemia is classified into two types one
In pregnancy there is an increase in blood volume (plasma volume) by 40-60% and red blood cells volume increases by 20%. This leads to relative decrease in blood haemoglobin and hematocrit content, called physiological anemia. In order to maintain haemoglobin concentration within normal limits, the body requires additional iron and other vitamins to make more red cells. The foetus depends on maternal stores of vitamins and minerals for its growth, resulting in the increased demand. So it is essential for the mother to ensure adequate intake through diet and nutritional supplements. physiological anemia is a very common phenomenon which occurs in pregnant women due to the changes that occur in the women’s blood during pregnancy.
The most common causes are:
Other causes of anemia are
1.Aplastic anemia
2.Hemoglobinopathies
3.Infections
Iron deficiency anemia
Our body requires more iron to make red blood cells and haemoglobin which carries oxygen to the tissues. During pregnancy the iron requirement increases as our body needs this iron to make more haemoglobin to supply oxygen to the baby.
The causes of increased prevalence of iron deficiency anemia:
Before pregnancy:
During pregnancy:
Vitamin B12 deficiency:
Vitamin b12 is an important vitamin required for the synthesis of red blood cells. The daily requirement of Vit B12 in non-pregnant condition is 2 µg and during pregnancy is 3 µg.This vitamin deficiency is more commonly seen in women who are predominantly vegetarian, as the main sources of vitamin B12 is from animal products like milk, eggs, poultry. The causes of vitamin B12 deficiency are:
1.Lack of intrinsic factor which is needed to absorb vitamin B12.
2.Inadequate dietary intake
3.Surgery that removes or bypass the end of small intestine
4.Gastritis
5.Drugs like metformin, Pantoprazole, rabeprazole
6.Crohn’s or celiac disease
Folic acid deficiency:
Folic acid is a water soluble vitamin. During pregnancy the demand for folate increases as it is required for the growth and development of foetus. Hence women are advised to start folic acid 3 months prior to planning a family.
Causes of folic acid deficiency :
Symptoms of anemia:
The anemia is the most common indirect cause of maternal death. There are many complications because of anemia in pregnancy like preeclampsia,preterm labour, flaring up of existing infections,hemorrhage, shock, cardiac failure,poor lactation,puerperal sepsis, subinvolution.foetal complications include low birth weight,intrauterine growth restriction and high prevalence of failure to thrive.
The answer for this is a very simple one - a healthy and balanced diet.
Under this program the government has implemented mandatory provision of iron and folic acid fortified food in government funded health programmes like integrated child development services and mid day meal schemes to address the micronutrient deficiencies.
Anemia is one of the major preventable causes of complications in pregnancy. Let’s work together make yourself anemia free by ensuring proper nutrition
It's easy to manage and maintain your health during pregnancy. Just follow your doctor's instructions for taking a prenatal vitamin that contains a sufficient amount of iron and folic acid and any other advice he/she prescribes.
