A significant study has revealed that a single iron infusion during the third trimester can greatly decrease anaemia in pregnant women, surpassing the effectiveness of standard oral iron tablets.
Having enough iron is essential throughout pregnancy to ensure the well-being of both the mother and the unborn child. Low iron levels are associated with increased chances of preterm birth, low birth weight, and postpartum depression.
The research, conducted by WEHI in Australia and the Training Research Unit of Excellence in Malawi, is the first to demonstrate that iron infusions late in pregnancy can substantially enhance iron reserves as women near their delivery dates. These results could enhance maternal health care and birth outcomes worldwide.
Key Points
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This landmark research shows that iron infusions given in the third trimester are safe and significantly raise iron levels in pregnant women more effectively than iron tablets.
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Severe iron deficiency during pregnancy can hinder baby development and increase the risk of complications.
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The outcomes could reshape maternal health guidelines and improve delivery results globally, including in Australia.
Iron deficiency is a primary cause of anaemia among pregnant women all over the world.
Approximately 37% of pregnant women globally experience anaemia, equating to nearly 32 million women at any point. In Australia, the incidence of anaemia during pregnancy is around 25%.
Women who are anaemic during pregnancy face increased risks of complications like chronic fatigue, postpartum haemorrhage, and stillbirth.
Anaemia during pregnancy can also pose risks for the developing baby, potentially affecting the placenta, brain development, and red blood cell production.
To address iron deficiency during pregnancy, WEHI researchers partnered with experts from the Training Research Unit of Excellence and Kamuzu University of Health Sciences in Malawi to conduct an innovative trial that examined the effectiveness of iron infusions compared to oral iron tablets in late pregnancy.
“Anaemia is one of the most avoidable causes of illness and mortality in low-resource countries, yet any woman worldwide can become anaemic during pregnancy, making it a crucial global health issue,” stated Professor Sant-Rayn Pasricha, the co-corresponding author.
“Our findings show that a single iron infusion in the third trimester can achieve results that daily oral iron tablets throughout pregnancy cannot.”
“This study provides the first solid evidence that infusions late in pregnancy are a more effective treatment for anaemia in expectant mothers, significantly boosting iron levels during a vital period for both the mother and the baby.”
Together with Professor Kamija Phiri from the Training Research Unit of Excellence, the research team executed one of the largest iron trials, which involved 590 pregnant women in Malawi.
The results indicated that women receiving infusions had a lower prevalence of anaemia (46.7%) compared to those on iron tablets (62.7%) at delivery.
The research also demonstrated that third-trimester infusions helped preserve a mother’s iron stores even after giving birth.
“The sustained effect on anaemia represents an exceptional finding that emphasizes the importance of using infusions late in pregnancy to quickly enhance red blood cell production and iron levels,” said Professor Pasricha, head of the Anaemia Research Laboratory at WEHI.
“We hope our findings will be adopted in health care practices around the world to establish consistent guidelines ensuring that more women receive the appropriate iron treatment when it is most necessary.”
“If intravenous iron can be safely administered in basic health facilities in remote Malawi as shown in our trial, there’s virtually no health care environment where IV iron could not be efficiently and safely provided.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) currently advocates for pregnant women to take oral iron tablets twice daily as the main strategy for preventing maternal anaemia. Researchers aim to present this data to WHO soon to influence the future global antenatal care recommendations.
