Expert recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of iron-deficiency anemia during pregnancy and the postpartum period in the Asia-Pacific region
Breymann, C.; Bian, X.-M.; Blanco-Capito, L.R.; Chong, C.; Mahmud, G.; Rehman, R.
Journal of Perinatal Medicine 39(2): 113-121
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 1619-3997 PMID: 21070128 DOI: 10.1515/jpm.2010.132Document Number: 221389
Anemia during pregnancy and the postpartum period is commonly caused by iron deficiency and is a significant worldwide issue with severe consequences for both mother and developing fetus. From a worldwide perspective, iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) during pregnancy is highest in the Asia-Pacific region; however, there has been little guidance in this region for safe and effective treatment. An expert panel was convened to develop a concise and informative set of recommendations for the treatment of IDA in pregnant and postpartum women in the Asia-Pacific region. This manuscript provides these recommendations and aims to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with IDA in pregnant and postpartum women in the Asia-Pacific region. The consensus recommendations define anemia as a hemoglobin (Hb) level <10.5 g/dL during pregnancy and <10 g/dL during the postpartum period, and provide cut-off Hb levels to initiate therapy with oral iron, intravenous iron or red blood cell transfusion.