RT Book, Section
A1 Rogers, Vanessa L.
A1 Roberts, Scott W.
A2 Papadakis, Maxine A.
A2 McPhee, Stephen J.
A2 Rabow, Michael W.
A2 McQuaid, Kenneth R.
SR Print(0)
ID 1184182222
T1 Anemia in Pregnancy
T2 Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2022
YR 2022
FD 2022
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9781264269389
LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1184182222
RD 2024/04/24
AB Normal  pregnancy  is  characterized  by  an  increase  in  maternal  plasma  volume  of  about  50%  and  an  increase  in  red  cell  volume  of  about  25%.  Because  of  these  changes,  the  mean  hemoglobin  and  hematocrit  values  are  lower  than  in  the  nonpregnant  state.  Anemia  in  pregnancy  is  considered  when  the  hemoglobin  measurement  is  below  11  g/dL.  By  far,  the  most  common  causes  are  iron  deficiency  and  acute  blood  loss  anemia,  the  latter  usually  occurring  in  the  peripartum  period.  Symptoms  such  as  fatigue  and  dyspnea  that  would  otherwise  suggest  the  presence  of  anemia  in  nonpregnant  women  are  common  in  pregnant  women;  therefore,  periodic  measurement  of  hematocrits  in  pregnancy  is  essential  so  that  anemia  can  be  identified  and  treated.  In  addition  to  its  impact  on  maternal  health,  untoward  pregnancy  outcomes  such  as  low  birthweight  and  preterm  delivery  have  been  associated  with  second-  and  third-trimester  anemia.