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How is iron deficiency anemia prevented?
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Antenatal prophylaxis of iron deficiency anemia
It is reduced to adherence to the correct regime and nutrition of a pregnant woman, measures against anti-malnourishment, elimination of toxicoses, timely detection and treatment of anemia in pregnant women.
Iron preparations are prescribed for women at risk:
- women of reproductive age, suffering from heavy and prolonged menstrual blood loss;
- staffing donors;
- pregnant women, especially with repeated pregnancies, following one after another with short intervals;
- women with iron deficiency during lactation.
Pregnant women can be prescribed iron preparations throughout the pregnancy period at a dose of 40-60 mg of elemental iron per day, or only in the third trimester of pregnancy.
Women suffering from menorrhagia, effective monthly appointment of iron preparations after each menstrual cycle of the duration corresponding to the number of his days.
Women - human blood donors (blood is given regularly for 450 ml) iron preparations are prescribed after blood donation for 3 weeks.
Preventive measures in the postnatal period include:
- observance of hygienic conditions of a child's life, use of natural factors (air, sun, water);
- systematic physical education, from an early age;
- breastfeeding and timely introduction of lure;
- children who are on mixed and artificial feeding should receive only adapted milk mixtures;
- prevention of rickets and hypotrophy.
Iron preparations are prescribed for children at risk:
- To children of early age:
- preterm;
- birth from multiple pregnancy, as well as pregnancy, complicated by toxicosis in the 2 nd half of pregnancy;
- large children with a high rate of weight gain and growth;
- suffering from allergic diathesis;
- mixed or artificial feeding with simple, and not adapted, mixtures.
- Older children:
- after hemorrhage, surgical interventions;
- girls in the puberty period - after menstruation.
Preterm and children born from a multiple pregnancy or an unfavorable pregnancy, ferroprophylaxis must begin at 2 months of age, continuing it until the end of the first year of life; full-term children at risk from 4 months for 3-6 months. Preventive dose of iron preparations is 2-3 mg / kg per day.
[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7],
Dispensary supervision
Clinical follow-up is performed by a pediatrician at the place of residence, children are observed for at least 6 months.
Control of blood tests once a month and after any disease.
Children are exempt from preventive vaccinations for the period of observation, continue the necessary corrections in the diet, treatment of the underlying disease, if any.
In the case of a relapse of iron deficiency anemia, children need a repeated in-depth examination to determine the cause.