Daily Iron Requirements and Prevention Of Anemia in Pregnancy

Daily Iron Requirements and Prevention of Anemia in Pregnancy

Iron supplementation is required and usually recommended because it is impossible to meet the daily requirements by diet alone.

Daily requirement of iron in pregnancy is -

• 0.8-1 mg in the 1^st trimester
• 4-5 mg in the 2^nd trimester
• More than 6 mg in the 3^rd trimester

To meet this demand the daily consumption of dietary iron should approximately be 20-48 mg.

National nutritional anemia prophylaxis program advises supplementation of 60 mg elemental iron and 500 mcg of folic acid daily for 100 days to all pregnant women.

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However it is suggested that 120 mg of elemental iron and 1 mg folic acid are the optimum daily doses needed to prevent anemia in pregnancy.

Prevention of Anemia -

• Women should be encouraged to undergo a pre-natal check up for early detection and treatment of iron deficient anemia.
• Proper spacing between two children.
• Having a well balanced diet rich in iron from adolescence.
• Regular screening for anemia.
• Fortification of ready-to-eat food with iron.