Insufficient evidence supporting iron supplementation in anaemia during pregnancy
Wiegerinck, M.M.; Mol, B.Willem.J.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 156(2): A4293
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-2162 PMID: 22236618 Document Number: 661821
The Royal Dutch Organization of Midwives (KNOV) recently presented their practice guideline 'Anaemia in midwifery practice'. The guideline identified available evidence on diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of anaemia in pregnancy. Anaemia based on iron deficiency and subsequent treatment with iron supplementation are probably the most frequent aspects of care for pregnant women. However, there is surprisingly enough no evidence of the efficacy of iron supplementation treatment on relevant clinical outcomes in pregnant women with anaemia. We plead to make the next guideline a multidisciplinary one. Such a guideline may lead to a large pragmatic trial evaluating the efficacy of iron supplementation treatment for patients with anaemia.