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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Iron deficiency in the first trimester as a predictor of anemia in de third trimester of pregnancy: A retrospective cohort study from the Netherlands
1
Zuyd Hogeschool, Research department of Midwifery Science in the Netherlands, Oostvoorne, Netherlands
2
Zuyd Hogeschool, Research department of Midwifery Science in the Netherlands, Maastricht, Netherlands
3
Zuyd Hogeschool, Research department of Midwifery Science in the Netherlands., Maastricht, Netherlands
4
University of Maastricht, Research department of Midwifery Science in the Netherlands., Maastricht, Netherlands
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A700
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia and is associated with fatigue, dizziness, and decreased quality of life, even in the absence of anemia. During pregnancy, anemia increases the risk of adverse outcomes including preterm birth, low birth weight, and perinatal mortality. Despite the known benefits of iron supplementation, optimal screening and treatment strategies remain unclear.
OBJECTIVES:
To assess the diagnostic value of first-trimester ferritin levels for predicting third-trimester anemia, to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency in early pregnancy, and to explore associations with maternal characteristics.
METHODS:
This retrospective cohort study used data from the Dutch VeCaS database, including women from midwifery practices that measured ferritin in ≥70% of pregnancies (n=4.385). Iron deficiency was defined as ferritin ≤30 μg/L, anemia was defined as <6,3 mmol/L. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between iron deficiency and parity, BMI, ethnicity, and smoking status.
RESULTS:
Iron deficiency in the first trimester was present in 28.7% of women and tripled the risk of third-trimester anemia. Risk factors of early iron deficiency increased with parity and were also associated with BMI <18.5 kg/m² and non-Western or mixed ethnic backgrounds. Over 50% of women with third-trimester anemia were already iron-deficient in the first trimester, in 39.1% of those, anemia had not yet developed.
CONCLUSIONS:
First-trimester ferritin screening may help identify women at risk of developing anemia later in pregnancy. A considerable proportion of iron-deficient women remain undetected under current screening protocols based on hemoglobin alone.
KEY MESSAGE:
Early detection of iron deficiency, even in the absence of anemia, could play a crucial role in preventing third-trimester anemia and improving maternal and neonatal outcomes. Current screening practices may warrant revision to incorporate routine ferritin assessment in early pregnancy. Poster session 2 (Group A)
Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia and is associated with fatigue, dizziness, and decreased quality of life, even in the absence of anemia. During pregnancy, anemia increases the risk of adverse outcomes including preterm birth, low birth weight, and perinatal mortality. Despite the known benefits of iron supplementation, optimal screening and treatment strategies remain unclear.
OBJECTIVES:
To assess the diagnostic value of first-trimester ferritin levels for predicting third-trimester anemia, to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency in early pregnancy, and to explore associations with maternal characteristics.
METHODS:
This retrospective cohort study used data from the Dutch VeCaS database, including women from midwifery practices that measured ferritin in ≥70% of pregnancies (n=4.385). Iron deficiency was defined as ferritin ≤30 μg/L, anemia was defined as <6,3 mmol/L. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between iron deficiency and parity, BMI, ethnicity, and smoking status.
RESULTS:
Iron deficiency in the first trimester was present in 28.7% of women and tripled the risk of third-trimester anemia. Risk factors of early iron deficiency increased with parity and were also associated with BMI <18.5 kg/m² and non-Western or mixed ethnic backgrounds. Over 50% of women with third-trimester anemia were already iron-deficient in the first trimester, in 39.1% of those, anemia had not yet developed.
CONCLUSIONS:
First-trimester ferritin screening may help identify women at risk of developing anemia later in pregnancy. A considerable proportion of iron-deficient women remain undetected under current screening protocols based on hemoglobin alone.
KEY MESSAGE:
Early detection of iron deficiency, even in the absence of anemia, could play a crucial role in preventing third-trimester anemia and improving maternal and neonatal outcomes. Current screening practices may warrant revision to incorporate routine ferritin assessment in early pregnancy. Poster session 2 (Group A)
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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