Maggie's article

Maggie Evans has written an article on iron deficiency through the female life cycle which was published in the MIDIRS (midwifery digest journal) in 2008.

Synopsis for Iron Deficiency through the female life cycle:

This paper addresses the vulnerability of women to iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia from pre-conception to post menopause.

Iron deficiency may result as consequence of poor dietary intake at any stage throughout the life cycle – pre-dominantly this affects infants and children, pregnant women and the elderly. Women naturally have a greater demand for iron due to menstruation and throughout pregnancy due to high requirements from the foetus.

Serious iron deprivation in infancy has many repercussions as iron is essential for optimal cognition. It is now well documented that iron deficiency anaemia can lead to lowered IQ scores; impaired motor development and language skills. Unfortunately, some of these outcomes are not reversed by iron therapy.

Due to the heavy demand for iron during pregnancy and blood loss at birth many women find themselves anaemic, which may have a detrimental effect on their current and future health. The treatment of iron deficiency anaemia is often ad hoc and due to the unpleasant side effects of conventional iron tablets, women often discontinue with therapy or take their tablets sporadically, therefore, the underlying problem of renewing iron stores is never completely rectified.

The benefits of a water-based, low dose iron supplement with a high bioavailabilty is highlighted in the paper. Due to its lack of side effects women are more likely to comply with taking this supplement long-term.

As midwives we have a key role within women’s lives during pregnancy and the postnatal period.
Together with other health care professionals we are in a unique position to intervene and tackle some of the core issues regarding iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia.
Various suggestions are made to try and resolve some of the shortcomings and to educate and empower women to have a better understanding of how the long-term effects of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia can impact on their well-being.

Read Maggie’s full article: ‘Iron Deficiency through the female life cycle – who needs to care?’