Introduction
Pregnancy is a period of a significant increase in iron
requirement over and above the non-pregnant state1.
Although iron requirements are reduced in the first trimester
because of the absence of menstruation, they rise steadily
thereafter from approximately 0.8 mg per day in the first
month to approximately 10 mg per day during the last
6 weeks of pregnancy2. The increased iron requirement is due
to expansion of maternal red blood cell mass for increased
oxygen transport, including transfer of iron, to both the
growing foetus and the placental structures, and as a needed
reserve for blood loss and lochia at parturition3. Due to
increased iron requirements, pregnancy is also a period of
increased risk for anaemia. Thus, a high proportion of women
become anaemic during pregnancy.