Pregnant women are more likely to develop iron-deficiency anemia because the unborn baby relies on his or her mother for iron and other nutrients. To prevent this type of anemia, many pregnant women take iron pills. Also, to ensure that the mother has enough iron for her and the baby, she should eat well-balanced meals and follow her health care provider’s instructions for taking vitamins and adding iron to her diet.
*Important factors to remember:
- Certain types of anemia are hereditary and infants may be born with the form of anemia.
- Women of childbearing age are particularly susceptible to a type of anemia called iron-deficiency anemia because of blood lost from their monthly menstruation and the increased demands for blood supply during pregnancy.
- Seniors may also have a greater risk of developing anemia because of poor diet and other medical conditions.
References:
1. Marks PW, Glader B. Approach to anemia in the adult and child. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Shattil SS, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 34.
2. WebMD. Anemia. 2011. Available at: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-anemia-basics. Accessed on October 7, 2011.
3. Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Anemia. 2010. http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/Anemia/hic_Anemia.aspx. Available at: Accessed on October 7, 2011.
4. US National Library of Medicine. Anemia. Feb. 2011. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001586/. Accessed on October 7, 2011.
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