Adherence of Iron Succinylate Therapy in Pregnancy

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), anemia is the most common disease, affecting \>1.5 billion people worldwide. Furthermore, iron deficiency anemia (IDA) accounts for 50% of cases of anemia. IDA is common during pregnancy and the postpartum period, and can lead to serious maternal and fetal complications. Measurement of serum ferritin has the highest sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of IDA unless there is a concurrent inflammatory condition. The lower threshold value for hemoglobin (Hb) in pregnant women is \<11 g/dL during the 1st and 3rd trimesters, and \<10.5 g/dL during the 2nd trimester. In postpartum period a Hb concentration \<10 g/dL indicates clinically significant anemia. Oral iron therapy is given as the first-line treatment for IDA.