Four in five (more than 80%) pregnant women experience iron deficiency in their third trimester.
Researchers at the Irish Centre for Maternal and Child Health, and the School of Food and Nutritional Sciences in UCC analysed data collected from 641 women who were pregnant with their first baby and had a successful delivery.
Blood samples were taken at 15, 20 and 33 weeks. Despite the high rates of iron deficiency, none of the participants were anaemic in their first trimester.
Iron deficiency during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of complications for both mother and infant. The findings of the study raise concerns as participants were low risk and generally healthy.
‘Our findings highlight the importance of screening to identify the women at the greatest risk of iron deficiency early in their pregnancy,’ said lead researcher, Dr Elaine McCarthy. ‘In addition to this, we need to support and educate pregnant women around the importance of iron in their diets.’
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