Overview
Perinatal anemia refers to anemia occurring during pregnancy or the postpartum period. It is a common complication that can affect maternal and fetal health.Diagnosis
Diagnosis is typically based on hemoglobin levels below established thresholds for gestational age.
Further evaluation may include iron studies (serum ferritin, transferrin saturation), vitamin B12, and folate levels to determine the etiology 1.Management
Iron supplementation is the cornerstone of management for iron deficiency anemia 1.
Folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation may be indicated if deficiencies are identified 1.
Transfusion medicine principles are applied in severe cases or when rapid correction is needed 1.Special Populations
Pregnancy: Anemia in pregnancy requires careful management due to potential risks to both mother and fetus, including preterm birth and low birth weight 1.
Pediatrics: While this summary focuses on perinatal anemia, transfusion medicine principles are relevant in pediatric nursing for managing anemia 1.Key Recommendations
Iron supplementation is recommended for iron deficiency anemia in the perinatal period 1. (Evidence: Moderate)
Folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation should be considered if deficiencies are diagnosed 1. (Evidence: Moderate)
Transfusion medicine education is effective in improving nursing students' knowledge and clinical decision-making skills regarding anemia management 1. (Evidence: Moderate)References
1 Razaghpoor A, Taheri-Ezbarami Z, Jafaraghaee F, Maroufizadeh S, Falakdami A. The effect of serious game and problem-based learning on nursing students' knowledge and clinical decision-making skill regarding the application of transfusion medicine in pediatric nursing. Journal of pediatric nursing 2024. link