According to the World Health Organization, 38.2% of pregnant women in the world suffer from anemia. However, there are significant disparities between the regions of the world. In effect, there is a significant prevalence in Africa with 43.3% of pregnant women impacted as well as in the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean with nearly 38.9%. Conversely, in Europe and the Americas, the prevalence fall to approximately 25%1. Several factors may explain these discrepancies such as the prevalence of certain infectious diseases, the social-economic differences or even the different public health policies and recommendations for pregnant woman.
Many researches highlight the possible complications associated with anemia by iron deficiency. Indeed, premature births (before the 37th week), new-born with low weight or the new-born babies suffering from iron deficiency are the most frequently encountered complications2.
Several organizations recognized as the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)3, the Institute of Medicine of the United States (IOM) or Health Canada4 recommend a strategy of iron supplementation during pregnancy. The same applies to the World Health Organization (WHO), which recommends a daily supplementation of 30 to 60 mg of iron during pregnancy5.
WHO also stresses the importance of implementing a strategy to improve compliance while providing guidance to patients to manage side effects associated with supplementation5.
However, at the moment, new generation supplements exist as FERPLEX®. Indeed, the understanding of the different mechanisms of absorption of iron as well as taking into account the irritating effect of the traditional ferric preparations, allowed the development of a preparation perfectly adapted to a daily intake. This new generation of iron makes it possible to drastically reduce the side effects, while significantly and rapidly impacting the primordial biological parameters such as ferritin or even haemoglobin. All of these advantages contribute to the implementation of an effective prevention strategy while providing real comfort for the patient.
Through a comprehensive product portfolio, Versalya Pharma continues to provide women and their children with a solution tailored to each stage of their lives.
Reference:
- WHO recommendations on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience, World Health Organization.
- Iron deficiency anaemia – Complications. NHS choices
- Recommendations to Prevent and Control Iron Deficiency in the United States, MMWR recommendations and reports, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Prenatal Nutrition Guidelines for Health Professionals - Iron Contributes to a Healthy Pregnancy. Health Canada
- Daily iron and folic acid supplementation during pregnancy, World Health Organization.