Please enable JavaScript.

Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.

Iron Deficiency in Pregnancy and Its Relationship to Preterm Birth: The…

- - - - 3 Subtopics:
        
        Prevalence and Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency During Pregnancy
        
        Anemia affects about 29% of pregnant women early in pregnancy, with prevalence increasing as pregnancy progresses (Haider et al., 2013).
        
        Diagnosis is challenging due to physiological changes, but serum ferritin is the most accurate test for iron deficiency (Haider et al., 2013).
        
        Socioeconomic Factors and Global Impact
        
        Iron deficiency is the most common micronutrient deficiency globally, especially prevalent in low-resource settings due to poor diet and limited healthcare access (Adesola Temitope Oyelese et al., 2021).
        
        Socioeconomic disparities, including low income and inadequate nutrition education, contribute to higher rates of maternal anemia and preterm birth (Adesola Temitope Oyelese et al., 2021).
        
        Biological Mechanisms Linking Iron Deficiency to Preterm Birth
        
        Iron deficiency can cause placental dysfunction and inadequate oxygen supply to the fetus, increasing the risk of preterm labor (Allen, 2001).
        
        Iron is essential for immune function; deficiency may raise susceptibility to infections that can trigger preterm birth (Allen, 2001).
    - - High Prevalence of Iron Deficiency:
        86.7% of respondents reported being diagnosed with iron deficiency or anemia during pregnancy, and most experienced symptoms such as headaches (73.3%), dizziness (66.7%), and extreme fatigue (60%).
        
        Supplementation and Dietary Habits:
        While 73.4% took iron supplements (prescribed or over-the-counter), only 13.3% consumed iron-rich foods daily, with 53.4% rarely doing so. Some faced barriers to supplementation, including cost and access.
        
        Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes:
        60% of those diagnosed with iron deficiency had preterm births (before 37 weeks), and 40% had babies with low birth weight (<2.5 kg)—both rates much higher than national averages.
      - Demographics: The sample was predominantly women aged 36 or older, with a significant proportion identifying as South Asian or East Asian and most reporting middle-income status.
        
        Information Sources:
        Most participants learned about iron from healthcare providers (46.7%) or online resources (40%).
        
        Cultural/Dietary Practices:
        No respondents reported cultural or dietary restrictions affecting their nutrition during pregnancy.
    - - Similarity: Both primary and secondary research highlight iron deficiency as a significant risk factor for adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight. Both sources also identify barriers to iron supplementation and dietary intake, though the primary research sample reported particularly low daily consumption of iron-rich foods despite high rates of supplementation.
        
        Difference: Much higher observed rates of adverse outcomes in the primary research group compared to those reported in broader secondary studies. This may be due to the small, self-selected sample with specific demographic and health characteristics, or possibly greater awareness of symptoms leading to higher self-reporting. Additionally, while secondary research often emphasizes the importance of early and consistent supplementation and dietary education, the primary research data suggest that even with supplementation, dietary habits and other barriers may limit effectiveness in some groups