According to Indian government guidelines of the Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) program, the dose of Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) for pregnant women should be?

1. A

   60 mg iron and 500 mcg folic acid

2. B

   60 mg iron and 500 mg folic acid

3. C

   100 mg iron and 500 mg folic acid

4. D

   50 mg iron and 500 mcg folic acid

Appeared in: AIIMS CRE SNO - 2023

Explanation

• The Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) program guidelines recommend a daily prophylactic dose of one Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) tablet for pregnant women.
• This standard tablet contains 60 mg of elemental iron and 500 mcg (micrograms) of folic acid.
• This regimen is prescribed for at least 180 days during pregnancy and is continued for 180 days postpartum to prevent maternal anemia and support fetal development.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option B: The unit for folic acid is incorrect. 500 mg (milligrams) is a toxic overdose, as it is 1000 times higher than the recommended 500 mcg (micrograms).
• Option C: Both the iron dose and the folic acid unit are incorrect for routine prophylaxis. 100 mg of iron is a therapeutic dose for treating diagnosed anemia, not for prevention, and 500 mg of folic acid is a toxic dose.
• Option D: The elemental iron dose of 50 mg is lower than the 60 mg recommended by the AMB program for effective prophylaxis in pregnant women.

Related Visual

• Visual 1: Infographic: A visual chart showing the 6x6x6 strategy of Anemia Mukt Bharat, highlighting the six beneficiary groups and their respective IFA dosages.
• Visual 2: Image: A picture of the red government-supplied IFA tablet, clearly labeled with its composition (60 mg elemental iron + 500 mcg folic acid).

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: Knowing IFA supplementation dosage for pregnant women under Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) program helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
• Nurses play a crucial role in counseling pregnant women on the importance of IFA adherence to prevent maternal anemia, postpartum hemorrhage, and low birth weight in newborns.
• Patient education should include managing common side effects like nausea and constipation by advising them to take the tablet after a meal and increase fluid/fiber intake.
• It is vital to inform patients that passing black stools is a normal and harmless side effect of iron supplementation.

How to Approach the Question

• First, identify the key terms in the question: 'Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB)', 'IFA dose', and 'pregnant women'. This indicates a need for specific knowledge of a national health program.
• Second, recall the standard prophylactic (preventive) dose for this specific group. The AMB program has set guidelines for different beneficiaries.
• Third, pay close attention to the units. A common error in pharmacology questions is confusing milligrams (mg) and micrograms (mcg). Folic acid is dosed in mcg for this purpose.
• Fourth, evaluate each option. Eliminate options with incorrect units (e.g., 500 mg folic acid). Then, compare the remaining options based on the correct iron dosage (60 mg) to find the standard prophylactic dose.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: IFA supplementation dosage for pregnant women under Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) program.
• Stem keywords: Anemia Mukt Bharat, AMB, IFA, pregnant women, dose, Iron and Folic Acid
• Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE
• Clinical cues: Indian government guidelines
• Clinical cues: pregnant women

Question ID

QS2Pd11lhHfXe8ZuHPRG7e

Copy ID

Reference Book

E6 Nutrition Kumud Khanna 2e p. 233-424