The Effectiveness of Single Versus Double Daily Dose of Oral Iron on the Prevention of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Obese Pregnant Women

Anemia is known as a condition in which the hemoglobin level is lower than normal. Anemia is one of the most common complications during pregnancy. Anemia in pregnancy is defined as a hemoglobin level < 110 g/L . Anemia is an important risk factor in pregnancy which leads to both maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.

The pregnant woman needs more iron during pregnancy, so iron deficiency anemia is very common during pregnancy. In Egypt; iron deficiency anemia affects about one in every two pregnant women, especially in rural areas. Pregnant women require about 27 mg/day elemental iron to cover their increased need. The pregnant women should start taking a daily supplement of 30mg of elemental iron as a preventive measure against iron deficiency anemia especially in poor countries.

Obesity is defined as having an excessive amount of body fat. The body mass index, a measurement based on height and weight, determines the obese if the figure more than 30 kg/m2. There is an increased rate of overweight and obesity among pregnant women. According to the World Health Organization, 46% of adult females in Egypt are obese.

Many researches in the literature revealed a strong relationship between high BMI in pregnancy and iron deficiency anemia. Hepcidin is an iron regulating hormone in the body. Increases in iron levels in the plasma stimulate the production of hepcidin, which blocks iron absorption from the diet, so; hepcidin production is suppressed in the case of iron deficiency.