Screening and Supplementation for Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

Authors

Wanda K. Nicholson, George Washington University, Washington, DC.
Michael Silverstein, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
John B. Wong, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
David Chelmow, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond.
Tumaini Rucker Coker, University of Washington, Seattle.
Esa M. Davis, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore.
Carlos Roberto Jaén, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.
Marie Krousel-Wood, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Sei Lee, University of California, San Francisco.
Li Li, University of Virginia, Charlottesville.
Goutham Rao, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
John M. Ruiz, University of Arizona, Tucson.
James Stevermer, University of Missouri, Columbia.
Joel Tsevat, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.
Sandra Millon Underwood, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
Sarah Wiehe, Indiana University, Bloomington.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

8-20-2024

Journal

JAMA

DOI

10.1001/jama.2024.15196

Abstract

IMPORTANCE: Iron deficiency is the leading cause of anemia during pregnancy. According to survey data from 1999 to 2006, overall estimated prevalence of iron deficiency during pregnancy is near 18% and increases across the 3 trimesters of pregnancy (from 6.9% to 14.3% to 28.4%). An estimated 5% of pregnant persons have iron deficiency anemia. OBJECTIVE: The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) commissioned a systematic review to evaluate the evidence on the benefits and harms of screening and supplementation for iron deficiency with and without anemia on maternal and infant health outcomes in asymptomatic pregnant persons. POPULATION: Asymptomatic pregnant adolescents and adults. EVIDENCE ASSESSMENT: The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient, and the balance of benefits and harms of screening for iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in asymptomatic pregnant persons on maternal and infant health outcomes cannot be determined. The USPSTF also concludes that the current evidence is insufficient, and the balance of benefits and harms of iron supplementation in asymptomatic pregnant persons on maternal and infant health outcomes cannot be determined. RECOMMENDATION: The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in pregnant persons to prevent adverse maternal and infant health outcomes. (I statement) The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of routine supplementation for iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in pregnant persons to prevent adverse maternal and infant health outcomes. (I statement).

APA Citation

Nicholson, Wanda K.; Silverstein, Michael; Wong, John B.; Chelmow, David; Coker, Tumaini Rucker; Davis, Esa M.; Jaén, Carlos Roberto; Krousel-Wood, Marie; Lee, Sei; Li, Li; Rao, Goutham; Ruiz, John M.; Stevermer, James; Tsevat, Joel; Underwood, Sandra Millon; and Wiehe, Sarah, "Screening and Supplementation for Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement" (2024). GW Authored Works. Paper 5466.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/5466

Department

Prevention and Community Health