Pregnant women more prone to anemia

MANILA, Philippines - The high level of iron deficiency in a given population can have serious implications in the development and progress of that society and its economy. This conclusion is not as far-fetched as it might seem, explains Dr. Nils Milman, a world respected authority on anemia.

Iron is necessary for the normal development of the brain. A deficiency can impair intelligence and cognitive functions as well as psycho motor development. This has social implications, particularly in a child’s performance in school, and may cause him not to have success later in life.

Caring for moms and babies: Abbott brand manager Tara Spain, Abbott commercial director Ashraf Dawoud, Dr. Nils Milman, PAP president Dr. Raul Quillamor, and Ab-bott marketing director Josie Paule

Iron deficiency is the most frequent nutritional deficiency on a global scale. It is found to be the most common cause of anemia. Southeast Asia has one of the highest overall prevalence rates of anemia, although it has been on the decline over the last 10 years, albeit neither fast nor at a steady rate. In our country, practically every other Filipino woman has anemia. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 42 percent of Filipino women of reproductive age and 44 percent of pregnant women suffer from anemia.

“An infant’s iron status depends on its mother’s iron status,” Dr. Milman says. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) can predict low-birth weight of the baby. Babies are born smaller and with poorer health. Babies can be anemic at birth. While this may be unusual and extremely rare in countries in the West like Denmark where Dr. Milman is from, it is not so in our part of the globe. Babies and mothers can die after giving birth due to anemia.

Anemia occurs when the red blood cell count is low. Red blood cells are important as they contain the bulk of hemoglobin in the body, which is responsible for oxygenating the whole body. Oxygen cannot be properly distributed throughout the body if the hemoglobin level is low. Iron is essential in the production of hemoglobin as well as in its oxygen binding function.

A frequent feeling of tiredness, fatigue, dizziness, and headaches are symptoms of iron deficiency. It can affect the heart, causing it to beat faster or the person may appear pale, experience palpitations or shortness of breath. Other symptoms include thin hair, poor nails, a burning sensation in the tongue, the so-called “restless legs” as well as irregular menstrual periods. Pregnant women are found to be more prone to anemia. Iron demand during pregnancy increases until late pregnancy when it’s highest. Moreover, it takes at least a year to replenish iron lost from childbirth.

Good sources of iron are red meat, poultry, dark green leafy vegetables, legumes, and grains. Unfortunately, the typical Filipino diet does not contain an adequate amount of iron to meet the recommended daily intake. Rice is a poor source of iron and inhibits iron absorption. Thus, “there is a need for iron supplements, hand in hand with folic acid supplements,” Dr. Milman notes. “Folic acid should also be given to women at risk to be pregnant.”

“Iron supplements should start early,” stresses Dr. Milman. “It should start at least when pregnancy is planned.”

There are two forms of iron supplements — the fast-release and slow-release forms. “The slow-release form has the advantage of higher absorption and with fewer side effects such as heartburn and nausea,” Dr. Milman explains.