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All anemic pregnant women had a higher risk of pre-term delivery in relation to non-anemic women. Iron deficient anemic women have shorter pregnancies than non-anemic or even anemic but not iron deficient pregnant women. That’s why pregnant women are recommended to have a hemoglobin level of 12-16g/DL and any value below 12 is considered as iron deficiency and below 10.5 as anemia. This in turn depends partly on the iron status of the individual. However, there is a rise in total circulating hemoglobin directly related to the increase in red cell mass. The hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit and red cell count fall during pregnancy because the expansion of the plasma volume is greater than that of the red cell mass.
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Supplementation of pregnant women with iron and folic acid reduces the incidence of hemoglobin <110 g/l to under 5%. Iron is an essential mineral in the pregnancy period to the mother and to the baby as well. It is best to get vitamins and minerals from the food, but pregnant women are in need of many supplements that are essential to their body as well to their babies including iron and folic acid. Eating a healthy, varied diet in pregnancy will help get most of the vitamins and minerals that are essential during the period of pregnancy including iron and folic acid. In fact, the link between what the mothers consumes and the health of the baby is much stronger than once. The woman’s diet is the main source of nourishment for the baby. In the industrial world as a whole, anemia prevalence during pregnancy averages 18%, and over 30% of these populations suffer from iron deficiency. Roughly 47% of non-pregnant women and 60% of pregnant women have anemia worldwide, and including iron deficiency without anemia the figures may approach 60 and 90% respectively. About 90% of all anemias have an iron deficiency component. It is estimated that about 2,150million people are iron deficient, and that this deficiency is severe enough to cause anemia in 1,200million people globally. Women of fertile age and pregnant-lactating as well as their infants and young children are particularly affected with iron deficiency and its anemia resulting in serious health and functional consequences. This study was conducted in Lebanon to determine the prevalence and risk factors of low hemoglobin levels in pregnant women and the importance of iron intake in aiming changing these levels to decrease its risks. Pregnant women should be educated enough and well informed from their doctors to avoid or lessen the occurrence of such problem. Good sources of iron should be taken with enhancers so that the absorption of iron increases. Enhancers of iron include meat, fish, and vitamin C as the most common ones while polyphenols, phytates in tea and coffee, and calcium represent the most important inhibitors of iron absorption. And regarding that iron (heme and non-heme) has a low bioavailability, food enhancers and supplements are necessary for pregnant women especially in the begging and end of their pregnant period for support and growth. Iron deficiency development is widely common among women especially pregnant ones since iron should be supported to the mother and her fetus which makes the intake crucial and important. Iron deficiency during pregnancy is thought to be caused by combination of factors such as previously decreased iron supply, the iron requirements of the growing fetus, and expansion of maternal plasma volume. This percentage ranges from 35-75% in specific areas, and is much higher than the 18% of pregnant women diagnosed with anemia in developed countries.
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The world health organization (WHO) estimates that an average of 56% of pregnant women in developing countries is anemic. One of the critical problems that pregnant women may face is iron deficiency and its anemia which represents a risk factor for preterm delivery, prematurity and small for gestational age, birth, and weight.
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The pregnancy is a sensitive period in women life pregnant women should avoid any risk factor that can affect their health as well as the growth and development of their baby.