Thread: ANEMIA DURING PREGNANCY - Are there any side effects from taking a lot of iron?

ANEMIA DURING PREGNANCY

General Illness Information

A low level of hemoglobin (less than 10 gm/dl) during pregnancy. Hemoglobin carries oxygen to body tissues via the red blood cells.

Anemia in pregnancy is very common and is present in almost 8o% of pregnant women. Because volume of blood increases during pregnancy (hemodilution), a moderate decrease in the concentration of red blood cells and hemoglobin is normal.

The hematocrit value (the percentage of red blood cells relative to plasma volume) in non-pregnant women ranges from 38 to 45%. However, in pregnant women because of hemodilution normal values can be much lower, e.g. 34%in single and 30% in twin or multiple pregnancy even with normal stores of iron, folic acid and vitamin B12. This lower range simply reflects "the physiologic hemodilution of pregnancy" and does not indicate a decrease in oxygen carrying capacity or true anemia. Iron deficiency is responsible for 95% of anemia of pregnancy.

Causes:

Possible causes include: Poor intake of iron in diet; Folic acid deficiency; Loss of blood from bleeding hemorrhoids or gastrointestinal bleeding. Even if iron and folic acid intake are sufficient, a pregnant woman may become anemic because pregnancy alters the digestive process. Also the unborn child consumes some of the iron or folic acid normally available to the mother's body.

Prevention:

Eat foods rich in iron, such as liver, beef, whole-grain breads and cereals, eggs and dried fruit. Eat foods high in folic acid, such as wheat germ, beans, peanut butter, oatmeal, mushrooms, collards, broccoli, beef liver and asparagus. Eat foods high in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits and fresh, raw vegetables. Vitamin C makes iron absorption more efficient. Take prenatal vitamin and mineral supplements, especially folic acid.

Signs & Symptoms

Common Symptoms:

• Tiredness, weakness or fainting.
• Paleness
• Breathlessness

Occasional Symptoms:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Inflamed, sore tongue
• Palpitations or an abnormal awareness of the heartbeat
• Forgetfulness
• Jaundice (rare)
• Abdominal pain (rare)

Risk Factors Associated with:

• Twin or multiple pregnancy
• Poor nutrition, especially multiple vitamin deficiencies
• Smoking, which reduces absorption of important nutrients
• Excess alcohol consumption, leading to poor nutrition
• Any disorder that reduces absorption of nutrients
• Use of anticonvulsant medications

---------------

Contents:

• Why does pregnancy make me more likely to become anemic?
• How will I know if I'm anemic?
• How is anemia treated?
• Are there any side effects from taking a lot of iron?
• How does anemia affect my baby's health and mine?
• What can I do to prevent iron-deficiency

[HIDE]
RapidShare: Easy Filehosting

[/HIDE]

.

rs link expire........

Hey there r many effects of anaemia on preg:
*intercurrent infection
*preterm labour
*PIH
*abruptio placentae
*puerperal sepsis

Can u plz explain the pathophysiology?? wats the mechanism behind these causes?