During pregnancy, women need 27 milligrams of iron intake a day to make hemoglobin that carries oxygen from their lungs throughout their bodies and her blood volume expands to accommodate the change in her body. Blood tests may reveal low hemoglobin levels signifying anemia. Actually, iron deficiency is very common nutritional disease especially among pregnant women. Iron is very important to help her baby make his or her entire blood supply which is why pregnant women need double the normal iron intake.
Recommended Dietary Allowances for Iron for Infants (7 to 12 months), Children, and Adults [1]
| ||||
Age
|
Males
(mg/day) |
Females
(mg/day) |
Pregnant
(mg/day) |
Lactating
(mg/day) |
7 to 12 months
|
11
|
11
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
1 to 3 years
|
7
|
7
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
4 to 8 years
|
10
|
10
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
9 to 13 years
|
8
|
8
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
14 to 18 years
|
11
|
15
|
27
|
10
|
19 to 50 years
|
8
|
18
|
27
|
9
|
51+ years
|
8
|
8
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
There are many reasons for iron deficit in pregnant women such as not enough iron-rich food intake in the diet, consumption of foods containing inhibitors of iron absorption resulting in insufficient bioavailability, vegan diet, menorrhagia and anemia during a previous pregnancy are some of the important factors responsible for iron deficiency.
Iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy can increase risk for preterm babies and low birth weight. It is because iron is needed for deposition fetal stores and inadequate maternal iron intake is linked with delivery of low birth-weight infants (LBW) which means their birth-weight is not more than 2500g (5.5 lb). LBW is the single greatest risk factor for survival of newborn babies.
Actually, most specialists in Obstetrics & Gynaecology recommend pregnant women take an iron supplement. Eating iron-rich foods such as lean red meats, poultry, and fish can increase heme iron which is easier for the human body to absorb than non-heme iron.
Selected Food Sources of Heme Iron
| ||
Food
|
Milligrams
per serving |
% DV*
|
Chicken liver, pan-fried, 3 ounces
|
11.0
|
61
|
Oysters, canned, 3 ounces
|
5.7
|
32
|
Beef liver, pan-fried, 3 ounces
|
5.2
|
29
|
Beef, chuck, blade roast, lean only, braised, 3 ounces
|
3.1
|
17
|
Turkey, dark meat, roasted, 3 ounces
|
2.0
|
11
|
Beef, ground, 85% lean, patty, broiled, 3 ounces
|
2.2
|
12
|
Beef, top sirloin, steak, lean only, broiled, 3 ounces
|
1.6
|
9
|
Tuna, light, canned in water, 3 ounces
|
1.3
|
7
|
Turkey, light meat, roasted, 3 ounces
|
1.1
|
6
|
Chicken, dark meat, meat only, roasted, 3 ounces
|
1.1
|
6
|
Chicken, light meat, meat only, roasted, 3 ounces
|
0.9
|
5
|
Tuna, fresh, yellowfin, cooked, dry heat, 3 ounces
|
0.8
|
4
|
Crab, Alaskan king, cooked, moist heat, 3 ounces
|
0.7
|
4
|
Pork, loin chop, broiled, 3 ounces
|
0.7
|
4
|
Shrimp, mixed species, cooked, moist heat, 4 large
|
0.3
|
2
|
Halibut, cooked, dry heat, 3 ounces
|
0.2
|
1
|
These are some non-heme iron sources and you can eat non-heme iron with vitamin C rich foods that help the body absorb non-heme iron.
Selected Food Sources of Nonheme Iron
| ||
Food
|
Milligrams
per serving |
% DV*
|
Ready-to-eat cereal, 100% iron fortified, ¾ cup
|
18.0
|
100
|
Oatmeal, instant, fortified, prepared with water, 1 packet
|
11.0
|
61
|
Soybeans, mature, boiled, 1 cup
|
8.8
|
48
|
Lentils, boiled, 1 cup
|
6.6
|
37
|
Beans, kidney, mature, boiled, 1 cup
|
5.2
|
29
|
Beans, lima, large, mature, boiled, 1 cup
|
4.5
|
25
|
Ready-to-eat cereal, 25% iron fortified, ¾ cup
|
4.5
|
25
|
Reference:
Dillon JC. (2000) Prevention of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in tropical areas.
The Journal of Med Trop (Mars). 2000;60(1):83-91.
rationality of iron supplements prescribed during pregnancy.
Scholl TO. (2005) Iron status during pregnancy: setting the stage for mother and infant.
The Journal ofAm J Clin Nutr. 2005 May;81(5):1218S-1222S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nutrition for Everyone: Iron and Iron Deficiency http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/basics/vitamins/iron.html
The Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health Dietary Supplement
Fact Sheet: Iron http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/iron/
Ezine News Articles. Pre and Early Pregnancy Iron Deficiency Harms Brain. 29.03.2011.
Author: admin. Posted in News http://www.ezinenewsarticles.com/pre-and-early-pregnancy-iron- deficiency-harms-brain/
Drugs Information Online. Drugs and diseases reference index Diseases reference index. iron in diet,
The Red Meat Industry of South Africa. A food based approach to combat Iron Deficiency Anaemia.http://www.healthymeat.co.za/HealthWellness/IronDeficiencyAnaemia/tabid/173/ language/en-US/Default.aspx
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