Pregnant/breastfeeding women/women in reproductive years

Women are more likely than men to suffer from iron depletion, partly due to their menstrual cycle but, in certain cases, this can also be due to poor dietary intake of iron-rich foods.

A good dietary intake should be maintained throughout pregnancy as it is required by the mother and baby as a reserve for blood loss during the birth. A deficiency of iron at this stage may result in low birth weight and premature delivery, as well as the baby being born with low iron stores.

It is also important for women who are breastfeeding to ensure they keep their iron stores maintained in order that adequate iron can be passed to their child via their breast milk.