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CME Credit Offered
CME Credit Offered
Abstract Award
Abstract Award
Recording available 2/16-5/2
Recording available 2/16-5/2
AIUM Credit
AIUM Credit
Foundation Awardee
Foundation Awardee
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Abstract Award
Abstract Award
Foundation Awardee
Foundation Awardee

Poster Session 4

Category: Medical/Surgical/Diseases/Complications

Poster Session 4

(1193) Iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy and perinatal outcomes

Thursday, February 12, 2026
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM  
Foundation Awardee
Objective:
The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force identifies insufficient evidence to make recommendations on screening and treatment of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in pregnancy. We aimed to evaluate the association between IDA in pregnancy and postpartum and perinatal outcomes in a modern obstetric cohort.

Study Design:
Repeated cross-sectional analysis of individuals aged 13-50 years with pregnancy and delivery data at > 20 weeks’ gestation available in the MarketScan Commercial Insurance Research Database from 2011-2021. The exposure was IDA, identified by International Classification of Diseases insurance claims codes. Maternal and neonatal outcomes included severe maternal morbidity, postpartum hemorrhage, postpartum depression, blood transfusion, neonatal IDA and NICU admission. Baseline characteristics were compared between those with and without IDA in pregnancy or through 6 weeks postpartum. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated the association between IDA and outcomes. A Cox proportional hazard model estimated the association between IDA and neonatal IDA.

Results:
Of 1,713,293 individuals included, 110,719 (6.5%) had IDA. Individuals with IDA were more likely to be older and have a comorbid health condition (Table 1). Maternal IDA compared with no IDA was associated with increased odds of severe maternal morbidity (4.85% vs 0.1%, aOR 50.2, 95% CI 47.4–53.1), postpartum hemorrhage (3.81% vs 0.08%, aOR 52.5, 95% CI 49.3–56.0), postpartum depression (3.90% vs 0.09%, aOR 42.8, 95% CI 40.3–45.4), and blood transfusion (2.06% vs 0.03%, aOR 76.5, 95% CI 69.0–84.9; Table 2). Maternal IDA was associated with an increased risk of neonatal iron deficiency anemia (42.37% vs 0.34%  HR 168.6, 95% CI 163.8-173.4).

Conclusion:
Consistent with prior studies, we found maternal IDA in a modern national cohort was strongly associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Additional research is needed to inform national guidelines on IDA screening and treatment in pregnancy.