Iron infusions: A new global standard for boosting pregnancy outcomes?

A groundbreaking study has revealed that a single iron infusion during the third trimester can significantly reduce anemia in pregnant women, outperforming oral iron tablets. This innovation can potentially revolutionize maternal care and enhance birth outcomes worldwide.

Understanding the role of iron in pregnancy

Iron plays a critical role in ensuring the health of both mother and baby. Low iron levels during pregnancy are linked to serious complications, including preterm birth, low birth weight, and postpartum depression. Yet, anemia remains a global challenge, with nearly 37% of pregnant women—approximately 32 million worldwide—affected.

In countries like Australia, anemia occurs in 25% of pregnancies, while the risks are even greater in resource-poor nations. Pregnant women with anemia are more likely to experience chronic fatigue, postpartum hemorrhage, and stillbirth. For babies, the consequences of maternal anemia include impaired brain development and poor red blood cell formation.

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Study highlights: The case for iron infusions

The study, led by WEHI (Australia) and the Training Research Unit of Excellence (Malawi), compared the effectiveness of third-trimester iron infusions to oral iron tablets. The large-scale trial involved 590 pregnant women in Malawi and demonstrated the following key outcomes:

• Lower anemia rates: Women who received iron infusions had an anemia prevalence of 46.7% at delivery compared to 62.7% among those taking iron tablets.
• Sustained benefits: A single iron infusion reduced anemia at delivery and protected mothers’ iron stores postpartum.

“This is the first concrete evidence proving infusions in late pregnancy are the superior treatment for combating anemia,” said Professor Sant-Rayn Pasricha, co-corresponding author of the study. “Boosting iron levels at a critical time ensures both mother and baby are better protected during birth.”

Global implications and the path forward

The World Health Organization (WHO) currently recommends oral iron tablets as the standard prevention strategy for maternal anemia. However, researchers hope this new data will prompt revisions to global antenatal care guidelines.

“If intravenous iron can be safely delivered in basic health centers in remote Malawi, there’s no health setting where IV iron couldn’t be effectively and safely given,” Prof. Pasricha explained.

The study findings underscore the potential for iron infusions to be integrated into maternal care protocols, especially in resource-limited settings, where they could save lives and improve maternal health outcomes.

Iron deficiency during pregnancy is a preventable condition that poses significant risks to both mothers and babies. With evidence now supporting the use of iron infusions as a superior treatment, the global maternal care landscape could see transformative changes in the coming years.

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Sources:

1. Anaemia. 2023. World Health Organisation. Anaemia.
2. Healthier mothers, healthier babies. 2025. WEHI. Healthier mothers, healthier babies: iron trial could transform pregnancy care worldwide.
3. Iron Infusions Boost Pregnancy Outcomes in Landmark Study. 2025. Sci Tech Deaily. New Global Standard? Iron Infusions Boost Pregnancy Outcomes in Landmark Study.