Anemia is the most common nutrition-related complication of pregnancy. Maternal blood volume increases 50 percent over the course of pregnancy. The blood pulls iron from the liver if there is insufficient iron in the mother's diet, depleting her iron stores and causing anemia. The average iron intake for women is 13 mg per day, significantly less than the recommended intake for pregnancy.
Function of Iron
Iron is a mineral that aids in oxygen transport, immune function, production of neurotransmitters and neurologic function. Iron is a major component of hemoglobin and myoglobin. Hemoglobin transports oxygen from the lungs to various tissues in the body, whereas myoglobin transports and stores oxygen in the muscle. Iron stores in the body aid reactions that protect the body from infection.
Deficiency
Insufficient iron intake leads to iron-deficiency anemia. Anemia causes fatigue, depression, weakness and shortness of breath. Iron deficiency in children can cause poor academic performance, learning difficulties and attention problems. Anemia in pregnancy can result in preterm delivery and low birth weight infants, as well as hemorrhage in the mother after giving birth.
Needs in Pregnancy
The need for iron increases for pregnant women due to a rise in blood volume. The mother's iron intake must support both maternal and fetal needs. The RDA for iron in pregnancy is 27 mg per day.
Iron Supplements
Even with a healthy diet, it is difficult for women to meet the increased iron requirements of pregnancy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Institute of Medicine recommend iron supplementation of 30 mg per day. There are two forms of iron supplements, ferrous and ferric. The Office of Dietary Supplements states that ferrous iron is better absorbed in the body. Some people have difficulty tolerating iron supplements. Side effects of iron supplements include gastrointestinal upset, nausea and constipation. Dividing supplement doses throughout the day and gradually increasing your dose can help alleviate these symptoms.
References
- "Krause's Food, Nutrition, and Diet Therapy"; L. Kathleen Mahan, et al.; 2004.
- Institute of Medicine: Dietary Reference Intakes: Vitamins
- "Nutrition During Pregnancy and Lactation: An Implementation Guide"; Institute of Medicine; 1992
- Centers for Disease Control; Recommendations to Prevent and Control Iron Deficiency in the United States; April 1998
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