
Iron is an essential mineral for the human body, and pregnant women are often advised to take iron supplements to prevent anaemia. Iron helps the body produce more blood, and the average pregnant woman needs about 30 mg of elemental iron per day to meet the new demands of extra blood volume, the developing placenta, and growing fetus. Ferrous fumarate is a type of iron supplement that is considered acceptable to use during pregnancy. However, it is important to note that there are potential side effects associated with oral iron supplements, including gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Therefore, it is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before taking any supplements during pregnancy.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Use during pregnancy | Considered acceptable |
Maternal anemia risks | Low birth weight, premature delivery, impaired cognitive and behavioral development |
Supplementation benefits | Prevents iron deficiency anemia and related adverse infant consequences |
High serum iron risks | Increased risk of gestational diabetes |
Oral iron therapy issues | Poor tolerability, up to 40% adverse reaction rate (nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation) |
Intravenous iron therapy issues | Minor side effects (burning, pain, swelling at the injection site) |
Oral iron side effects | Gastrointestinal irritation (nausea, epigastric pain, constipation, diarrhea), darkening of stools |
Oral iron overdose risks | Toxicity, fatality |
What You'll Learn
Ferrous Fumarate is safe to take during pregnancy
Iron is an essential mineral for the body, and it is especially important during pregnancy. It is a key component of haemoglobin, which is responsible for transporting oxygen to all tissues and organs in the body. During pregnancy, the body's demand for iron increases due to the need to support the growing fetus and the increased blood volume in the mother.
Ferrous fumarate is a form of iron that is commonly used to prevent and treat iron deficiency, including during pregnancy. It is considered acceptable for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding by the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) in Australia. Ferrous fumarate is an easily absorbed source of iron and is less irritating to the gastrointestinal tract compared to other iron salts. It is typically recommended in a dose of 200 mg per day for the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy.
Pregnant women are advised to take iron supplements to prevent iron deficiency anaemia, which can have adverse effects on both the mother and the infant. Maternal anaemia increases the risk of low birth weight, premature delivery, and impaired cognitive and behavioural development in the infant. Additionally, iron deficiency anaemia can make the mother feel tired and exhausted, and severe anaemia can lead to complications during pregnancy.
However, it is important to note that taking iron supplements may cause gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and constipation. These side effects can be reduced by taking iron with food, although this may decrease its absorption. It is generally recommended to take ferrous fumarate tablets between meals, preferably with fruit juice containing vitamin C, as this enhances absorption.
In summary, ferrous fumarate is safe to take during pregnancy and can help prevent iron deficiency anaemia, which is important for the health of both the mother and the developing fetus. However, it is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before taking any medication during pregnancy to ensure it is appropriate for your individual needs and circumstances.
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Iron is important for foetal development
Iron is a key nutrient and is essential for the developing foetus, neonate, infant, and child. Iron requirements are high during early stages of life because it is critically important for the production of new red blood cells and muscle cells as well as brain development. Iron deficiency can affect growth and energy levels as well as motor and cognitive performance in the developing child.
Iron is a ubiquitous metal that is essential for the function of all mammalian cells and yet also presents a significant risk to those cells. Iron deficiency occurs commonly during three phases of early life when the brain is developing: fetal life, toddlerhood and early adolescence, particularly in females.
Gestational conditions that result in neonatal iron deficiency include maternal iron deficiency anaemia, maternal cigarette smoking, maternal hypertension resulting in fetal growth restriction, and maternal diabetes mellitus.
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Iron deficiency can cause maternal and infant health issues
Iron deficiency can cause a range of health issues for both mothers and their infants.
Maternal Health Issues
Maternal iron deficiency can lead to anemia, which may cause the following health issues:
- Weakened immune system
- Increased risk of infections
- Tiredness and exhaustion
- Cardiac failure
- Breathing difficulties
- Fainting
- Palpitations
- Sleep difficulties
- Perinatal infection
- Pre-eclampsia
- Bleeding
- Postpartum cognitive impairment
- Behavioural difficulties
Infant Health Issues
Infants born to mothers with iron deficiency may experience the following health issues:
- Low birth weight
- Premature birth
- Intrauterine growth retardation
- Birth asphyxia
- Neonatal anemia
- Developmental difficulties involving cognitive, social-emotional, and adaptive functions
- Delayed growth and development
- Permanent damage to the brain
- Increased risk of infection
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Iron supplements can cause side effects
Some less common but more serious side effects include severe stomach pain, severe nausea or vomiting, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, and blood in the stool. If you experience any of these side effects, you should seek medical advice immediately.
It is also important to note that iron supplements can interact with other medications, such as antacids, thyroid medications, and antibiotics. Therefore, it is important to speak to a doctor or pharmacist before taking iron supplements, especially if you are already taking other medications.
Additionally, iron supplements can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, and rash. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
Finally, it is worth noting that iron supplements are generally considered safe during pregnancy, but it is always best to consult a healthcare professional before taking any new medication or supplement during this time.
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Iron requirements during pregnancy
Iron is an essential mineral during pregnancy, as it supports the baby's developing blood supply and is important for the baby's brain development. The average pregnant woman needs about 30mg of elemental iron per day, which is nearly double the amount a non-pregnant woman requires. This increased requirement is due to the need to produce more blood to support the developing placenta and growing fetus. The extra blood will also help protect the mother during childbirth, as blood loss is common during delivery.
Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy are common, especially in the second half of pregnancy, and can lead to low birth weight or premature birth. Therefore, iron supplementation is often recommended during pregnancy, and many prenatal vitamins contain the required amount of iron. However, it is important to note that taking too much iron is unlikely to harm the mother or the growing fetus, and in some cases, iron supplements may worsen morning sickness symptoms during the first trimester.
The best sources of dietary iron include lean meat, poultry, fish, fortified breakfast cereals, white beans, lentils, spinach, firm tofu, dark chocolate, tomatoes, kidney beans, and cashews. Non-heme iron sources (plant-based foods) are less easily absorbed, but their uptake can be enhanced by consuming them with vitamin C-rich foods.
It is recommended to consult a healthcare provider to determine if iron supplementation is necessary during pregnancy, as iron deficiency can be detected through blood tests. Additionally, calcium can interfere with iron absorption, so iron and calcium supplements should be taken at least two hours apart.
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Frequently asked questions
Ferrous fumarate is considered acceptable to take during pregnancy. It is recommended by many organizations and can help prevent iron deficiency anemia, which can cause complications for the infant.
Ferrous fumarate can cause gastrointestinal irritation, such as nausea, epigastric pain, constipation, or diarrhea.
The recommended dosage varies by country. The Danish National Board of Health recommends 40-50 mg of ferrous iron taken between meals from 10 weeks of gestation to delivery. The World Health Organization recommends 60 mg of elemental iron per day during pregnancy and for three months postpartum.
Meat, poultry, and fish products are good sources of iron. Liver, in particular, is high in iron. Plant-based sources of iron include beans, spinach, and fortified whole-grain cereals.