Anaemia continues to be a major health risk for pregnant women in India. According to the National Health Survey-5 (2019-21), nearly 57 per cent of women aged 15-49 in India are anaemic, compared with 25 per cent of men in the same age group.

Among pregnant women in this group, 52.2 per cent are anaemic, meaning they lack healthy red blood cells. Anaemia is more common in young girls, women who eat less or skip meals, and those who appear thin and pale even before pregnancy. Many women do not even realise they are anaemic. However, anaemia can be dangerous, as it may lead to premature births, low birth weight, or complications during childbirth.

This is why every pregnant woman must have her blood tested during the first visit and at every check-up thereafter, to ensure there is enough iron in the blood. Usually, anaemia is caused by low iron levels, but it can also result from deficiencies in vitamins such as folic acid or B12. Doctors........

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