The Prevalence of Iron Deficiency in Immigrant Pregnant Women

Abstract

It is increasingly recognized that the thalassaemia trait is extremely variable in all its manifestations, and that its geographical distribution is very widespread. For this reason it may be expected to be found in many of the Asian immigrant women in the Toronto (Canada). The requisite haematological and biochemical study over a sufficient period of time can conveniently be carried out during antenatal attendance, and the possible influence of this condition on the haematological status during pregnancy is itself of considerable interest. The same immigrant groups also contain numerous examples of the easily definable traits for the common abnormal haemoglobins (Hb-S, Hb-C), as well as diverse anaemias and others which are essentially due to iron deficiency. In such groups all these conditions may also be complicated by parasitic infestations, particularly hookworm. The proposed report deals specifically with a Asian immigrant women of thalassaemia-like anaemias, which are compared with a group of iron-deficiency anaemias. The recognition of the thalassaemic state is based on: (a) consistently reduced MCHC or microcytosis, (b) reduced osmotic fragility of the red cells before or after incubation, (c) presence of stainable iron in the stores and erythroblasts of the bone marrow, and (d) quantitative studies of the Hb-A2 and Hb-F levels in haemolysates. The occurrence of Hb-?4 (Hb-Bart's) in the cord bloods at delivery has also been studied. Parallel observations have been made on the subjects with iron-deficiency anaemias of pregnancy.

Table of Contents

Abstractii

Introduction1

Problem Statement1

Purpose of the study3

Rationale of the Study3

Hypothesis5

Literature review5

Methods7

Discussion8

Concluding Remarks9

References10

Introduction

Problem Statement

Although socioeconomically disadvantaged (SED) populations can benefit from the use of health and social services, there is a paucity of published research regarding SED women's health and social service needs and utilization patterns during the postpartum period. Women who are socioeconomically disadvantaged often experience inequities in health and health care. In their daily lives they face chronic stressors such as poverty, lack of social support, isolation, racism, violence, language barriers, and low levels of education. These challenges create a complex burden of psychosocial, functional, and physical health risks which can obstruct their access to material resources and health care, and in turn put them at high risk for poor health outcomes and poor quality of life . During the postpartum period SED women experience higher rates of postpartum depression, with reported rates between 22% and 30% compared to 13% overall prevalence in the general population. They are more likely to suffer from iron deficiency than their more SEA counterparts. In addition SED postpartum women have more problems adjusting to the parenting role, report higher rates of intimate partner violence, are less likely to breastfeed and are less likely to have a partner. Women of low socioeconomic status and immigrants from developing countries, among whom iron deficiency anemia is more common, are most likely to benefit from such screening. Because hemoglobin measurement is a nonspecific test for iron deficiency, further evaluation should be performed to identify the etiology of anemia detected by ...