Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Kufa, Kufa, Iraq
Research
Laboratory characteristics in anemic pregnant women to decide treatment with intravenous iron vs. Blood transfusion in Najaf province: A hospital-based study
Author(s): Maryam K. Alaasam* and Nagham Yahya Ghafil
Background: Anemia affects over fifty percent of reproductive-age women globally, with a frequency of 29.9% among individuals aged 15–49 and 36.5% among pregnant women in 2019. Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) is common but often inadequately treated, leading to serious maternal and fetal complications, including postpartum depression, maternal mortality, and impaired brain development in children. Anemia can be classified by red blood cell size (microcytic, normocytic, macrocytic) or cause (low production vs. high loss), requiring comprehensive lab tests for accurate diagnosis. “The World Health Organization (WHO)” defines anemia in pregnancy as hemoglobin levels below 11 g/dl, with moderate cases between 10-10.9 g/dl and severe cases below 7 g/dl. Oral iron supplements have low compliance due to side effects, while intravenous iron is underu.. Read More»