Iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy is primarily caused by what?

• A. Increased iron absorption
• B. Insufficient iron stores to meet demands of pregnancy
• C. Excess iron stores
• D. Vitamin B12 deficiency

Answer: (B)

Iron needs rise in pregnancy because maternal blood volume expands and the fetus and placenta require iron. If a person starts with low iron reserves or cannot meet the increased demand with dietary intake and supplementation, those stores become depleted, causing iron deficiency anemia. In pregnancy, the body does try to absorb more iron, but that compensatory increase isn’t enough when stores are insufficient. Excess iron stores are not the cause of anemia, and vitamin B12 deficiency leads to a different type of anemia, not iron deficiency.