Iron Overdose in Pregnant Women and its Treatment

During pregnancy, Iron requirements increase significantly to support the growth of the foetus and placenta, as well as maternal erythropoietic expansion. Iron supplementation is universally recommended for a viable pregnancy, irrespective of maternal Iron status. A food fortification strategy delivering about 10mg Iron per day lowers the proportion of women under risk of Iron deficiency to the range of 6 per cent to 39 per cent in many states. Combining fortification with weekly supplementation would lower the risk to between 1 per cent and 5 per cent. Food fortification and supplementation would expose many women to Iron levels that exceed the tolerable upper level of 45mg per day, producing Iron overload which can be prove to be toxic. Large epidemiological studies show a U-shaped association between maternal ferritin, a marker of Iron stores, and risk of adverse outcomes of pregnancy such as low birthweight, stillbirth, preterm birth (<37 weeks), very preterm birth (<32 weeks’ gestation), and neonatal asphyxia.