Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Iron is especially critical during pregnancy given the rapid cell and tissue development involved in fetal growth. Pregnancy has a net iron cost in the range of 600-800 mg Iron deficiency (ID) is the most common micronutrient deficiency among pregnant women, leading to iron deficiency anemia (IDA) if uncorrected. Anemia may affect up to 56% of pregnant women in developing countries, implying a relatively high prevalence if IDA ( up to ~25% ) and, thus, an even higher prevalence of ID. With approximately 16% of pregnant women in developed countries are subject to ID and. This is equivalent to approximately 56 million women worldwide To prevent iron deficiency, it is generally recommended that women enter pregnancy with iron stores of at least 500 mg; however, over 20% of women in developed countries enter pregnancy with extremely low iron storesr

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