[Medical Q&A] When do pregnant mothers need to supplement iron through medication?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Zhao Jie, Chief Pharmacist Professor of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University

The physical environment of pregnant women will undergo tremendous changes, and the body's demand for iron will greatly increase. The main purpose of iron supplementation is to prevent and treat iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy. Therefore, pregnant mothers need to supplement iron through a scientific diet. For pregnant mothers who are found to have iron deficiency anemia through prenatal examinations, they should start iron supplementation treatment under the guidance of a doctor.

Anemia caused by iron deficiency may have no obvious symptoms when it is mild, or it may only manifest as a slight paleness of the skin and mucous membranes. Therefore, before planning to get pregnant, you should check your blood routine first, and then get pregnant after correcting the anemia. After pregnancy, you should have regular prenatal check-ups and find out whether you are anemic as soon as possible by checking your blood routine. Peripheral blood routine should be tested during the first prenatal check-up (preferably within 12 weeks of pregnancy), and the check should be repeated every 8 to 12 weeks. If conditions permit, serum ferritin can be tested. When the test results show that the hemoglobin concentration is less than 110 g/L, it means that anemia has occurred; when serum ferritin is less than 20 μg/L, it means that iron deficiency exists; when serum ferritin is less than 30 μg/L, it means that oral iron supplementation should be started. If you do not pay attention to iron supplementation, it is easy to develop iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy, which will increase the risk of premature birth, low birth weight and fetal death. In addition, when anemia occurs, the blood's ability to carry oxygen is reduced, which will increase the burden on the heart. Pregnant mothers will experience symptoms such as dizziness and difficulty breathing, and may faint in severe cases. In short, pregnant mothers should have timely prenatal check-ups and follow the doctor's advice on whether they need oral iron supplements.