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How is iron deficiency anemia prevented?
Last reviewed: 08.07.2025
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Antenatal prevention of iron deficiency anemia
It comes down to maintaining the correct regimen and nutrition of a pregnant woman, measures aimed at preventing premature birth, eliminating toxicosis, and timely detection and treatment of anemia in pregnant women.
Iron preparations are prescribed to women from risk groups:
- women of reproductive age suffering from heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding;
- personnel donors;
- pregnant women, especially in cases of repeated pregnancies, following one another with short intervals;
- women with iron deficiency during lactation.
Pregnant women can be prescribed iron supplements throughout the entire pregnancy period at a dose of 40-60 mg of elemental iron per day, or only in the third trimester of pregnancy.
For women suffering from menorrhagia, monthly administration of iron preparations after each menstrual cycle of a duration corresponding to the number of its days is effective.
For women who are regular blood donors (blood is donated regularly, 450 ml at a time), iron supplements are prescribed after donating blood for 3 weeks.
Preventive measures in the postnatal period include:
- maintaining hygienic living conditions for the child, using natural factors (air, sun, water);
- systematic physical education, starting from an early age;
- breastfeeding and timely introduction of complementary foods;
- children who are on mixed or artificial feeding should receive only adapted milk formulas;
- prevention of rickets and malnutrition.
Iron preparations are prescribed to children at risk:
- For young children:
- premature;
- born from multiple pregnancies, as well as pregnancies complicated by toxicosis in the second half of pregnancy;
- large children with a high rate of weight and growth gain;
- suffering from allergic diathesis;
- who are on mixed or artificial feeding with simple, rather than adapted formulas.
- For older children:
- after blood loss, surgical interventions;
- for girls during puberty - after menstruation.
Premature infants and infants born from multiple or unfavorable pregnancies should begin ferroprophylaxis at the age of 2 months, continuing it until the end of the first year of life; full-term infants from the risk group should begin ferroprophylaxis at the age of 4 months for 3-6 months. The prophylactic dose of iron preparations is 2-3 mg/kg per day.
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Outpatient observation
Outpatient observation is carried out by a pediatrician at the place of residence; children are observed for at least 6 months.
Blood tests are checked once a month and after any illness.
Children are exempted from preventive vaccinations for the observation period, and the necessary dietary corrections and treatment of the underlying disease, if any, continue.
In case of relapse of iron deficiency anemia, children need a repeat in-depth examination to clarify the cause.