HOW SHOULD WE MANAGE THE PREGNANT WOMEN WITH IRON DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA?
5.1 What are Complications and prognosis? Complications: Increased morbidity from infectious disease, due to adverse effects on the immune system; heart failure; angina. Complications specific to pregnancy: Increased maternal mortality; increased prenatal and perinatal infant mortality; increased prematurity; and infants born to iron deficient mothers require more iron than is supplied by breast milk, and at an earlier stage, to avoid iron deficiency in the infant 3. 5.2 How can search for the cause of iron deficiency anaemia? Difficulties in diagnosis may occur when more than one type of anaemia is present. A dimorphic blood picture may be present, and additional investigations such as vitamin B12 and folate levels may help diagnose the different causes of anaemia. A reason for iron deficiency should always be sought. History taking should attempt to determine whether gastrointestinal (GI) blood loss, menstrual loss, malabsorption, or nutritional deficiency is likely. Drug history of
