Which type of anemia is commonly found in pregnant women?

NHM MP Staff Nurse-2019

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Easy

Appeared in: NHM MP Staff Nurse-2019

Explanation

Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) is the most prevalent hematological disorder during pregnancy, with some sources stating that up to 95% of anemia cases in pregnant women are due to iron deficiency.
Pregnancy creates a high demand for iron to support the increased maternal blood volume, the needs of the fetus, and the placenta. This demand often surpasses the mother's dietary intake and iron stores.
Factors contributing to IDA in pregnancy include increased physiological demand (about 20% more iron needed), reduced intake or absorption (due to diet or morning sickness), and blood loss from various causes.
The total iron requirement for a single pregnancy is approximately 1 gram, a substantial amount that is difficult to meet without supplementation.

Option A: Sickle Cell Anemia is a genetic, inherited blood disorder (a hemoglobinopathy). It is a pre-existing condition that complicates pregnancy, not a type of anemia that commonly develops as a result of pregnancy itself.
Option C: Dimorphic anemia is a mixed-deficiency anemia, typically involving both iron and either folic acid or vitamin B12. While it can occur during pregnancy, it is significantly less common than anemia caused purely by iron deficiency.
Option D: Haemolytic anemia is caused by the destruction of red blood cells. While pregnancy can sometimes trigger or worsen certain haemolytic conditions, it is not a common cause of anemia in the general pregnant population compared to nutritional deficiencies like IDA.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain The most common type of anemia affecting pregnant women as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Screening for anemia is a standard part of antenatal care. A baseline hemoglobin test is done at the first visit and repeated in the third trimester.
Prophylactic iron and folic acid supplementation (e.g., 100 mg elemental iron + 0.5 mg folic acid daily) is a key public health strategy to prevent IDA in pregnancy.
Maternal anemia increases the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and both maternal and fetal mortality. Severe anemia can lead to heart failure and shock during labor.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core of the question: it asks for the most common type of anemia in a specific population (pregnant women).
Recall the physiological changes of pregnancy. Pregnancy involves a massive increase in blood volume and the creation of a new organism (the fetus), both of which require significant amounts of iron for hemoglobin synthesis.
Consider the options in light of this physiological stress. Iron deficiency is a nutritional issue where demand outstrips supply, which aligns perfectly with the demands of pregnancy.
Evaluate the other options. Sickle cell is genetic, haemolytic is about cell destruction, and dimorphic is a mixed (and less common) deficiency. This makes them less likely to be the most common type compared to the universal increased need for iron.
Conclude that Iron Deficiency Anemia is the most logical and commonest form of anemia related to the physiological state of pregnancy.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: The most common type of anemia affecting pregnant women.
Stem keywords: anemia, pregnant women
Lead-in keywords: commonly found
Clinical cues: Age/sex group narrows the expected diagnosis, intervention, or normal reference range.
Negative lead-in flag: false

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