Questão 118472

The erythocyte volume increases during pregnancy, and this parameter is dependent on the adequate availability of iron, increasing from 18% (without iron supplementation) to 30% (with iron supplementation).

The mother and embryo or fetus have completely separate blood circulations, but they have a unique and single site of blood formation and erythropoietin production.

During pregnancy the definition of anaemia depends on its cause and the parameters is the presence of haemoglobin level of less than 12.5 g/dl and hematocrit level of 36.0%.

There is no evidence of the benefit of preventive iron supplementation i.e. the universal and regular administration of iron products, so it depends on the haemoglobin levels of the pregnant woman.