The management of anaemia and haematinic deficiencies in pregnancy and post‐partum

Anaemia is one of the most common disorders in the world (24·8% of the world population) (de Benoist 2008) and affects patients of all ages and ethnic origins. Underlying causes and prevalences vary by age group and socioeconomic background, but pregnant women everywhere are at high risk of anaemia, the vast majority of cases being due to iron deficiency. One in four pregnant women in Europe are thought to have iron deficiency anaemia (Daru et al., March 2016), whereas in parts of Africa, where hookworm infestation is common, this has been estimated to be as high as 38% (Stevens et al., 2013) to 50% (Bah et al., June 2017). Women of menstruating age are rarely iron replete (Low et al., 18 April 2016) and then enter pregnancy, which carries a major negative iron balance (Bentley, October 1985). Despite a good understanding of the causes of anaemia in pregnancy, there is still uncertainty about how best this should be investigated, prevented and managed. This reflects the limitations of laboratory tests, as well as the poor understanding of how best to replace iron, given the complex physiological mechanisms of iron absorption and distribution. A strategy for iron replacement in a population of anaemic pregnant women needs to be developed not only based on what is biologically and clinically most appropriate but also in the context of each organisation's delivery of care structure, taking into consideration aspects of cost effectiveness. For this reason, management algorithms must be adapted locally, ensuring they meet basic clinical imperatives.