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. 2023 Dec 8;2023(1):223-228.
doi: 10.1182/hematology.2023000474.

Identifying and treating iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy

Adam K Lewkowitz  1 , Methodius G Tuuli  1
Affiliations

Identifying and treating iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy

Adam K Lewkowitz et al. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. .

Abstract

Anemia is common during pregnancy, and while most anemia is physiologic, the most common pathologic cause is iron deficiency. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends confirmation of iron deficiency anemia with iron studies when anemia is diagnosed during pregnancy but acknowledges that presumptive treatment for suspected iron deficiency anemia is common in practice. Currently ACOG does not recommend treating iron deficiency without anemia during pregnancy. Though the benefits of treating iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy are clear, the optimal route of iron repletion remains uncertain. Results of ongoing large, randomized trials will help define the optimal route of iron treatment for pregnant patients diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia.

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Conflict of interest statement

Adam K. Lewkowitz served on medical advisory boards for Shields Pharmaceutics in 2021 and Pharmacosmos Therapeutics Inc. in 2022.

Methodius G. Tuuli: no competing financial interests to declare.

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