Review of Prepregnancy Care and Counseling

The article highlights insufficient discussion about iron deficiency testing in prepregnancy care guidelines. Iron deficiency is the world's most common micronutrient deficiency, affecting approximately 38% of reproductive-aged women. Studies showed that in pregnant women without anemia symptoms, iron deficiency occurs in 21% of cases at 15 weeks of gestation, 47% at 20 weeks, and 84% at 33 weeks. Low ferritin levels (less than 30 μg/L) at 15 weeks of gestation were associated with decreased language and motor skills in children measured at 2 years of age. Iron deficiency is linked to fatigue, restless leg syndrome, and other disorders. Iron deficiency screening before pregnancy is recommended by several international medical societies including the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics and the American Society of Hematology.