43. Iron & pregnancy.
| a. |
iron requirements in singleton pregnancy increase from about 2.5 mg. per day in the first trimester to about 6.5 mg. per day in the third trimester. |
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| b. | > 90% of anaemia in pregnancy is of the iron deficiency type. | |
| c. | ferritin levels are the most accurate measure of iron deficiency. | |
| d. | ~ 40% of pregnant women will have side-effects on oral iron. | |
| e. | side effects or oral iron vary according to the particular salt used. | |
| f. | vitamin C enhances absorption of iron. | |
| g. | intramuscular preparations of iron exist. | |
| h. | intravenous preparations of iron no longer exist since the withdrawal of iron dextran preparations due to the risk of anaphylaxis. | |
| i. | ferrous salts are better absorbed than ferric salts. | |
| j. | erythropoietin has been used in extreme cases and is not contraindicated in pregnancy. |
(See also MCQ2, question 26 & MCQ7, question 22.)
| Answer |