Maternal & Newborn Atlas
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Iron supplementation and iron screening in pregnancy

Iron deficiency is the leading cause of anemia during pregnancy. The US Preventive Services Task Force asked two questions about healthy pregnant people: should they be screened for iron deficiency, and should they routinely take iron supplements? In 2024 it said the current evidence is insufficient to judge the balance of benefits and harms of either. That describes the evidence; it is not a finding that iron is harmful or useless. MedlinePlus says pregnancy raises the need for some vitamins and minerals and advises checking with a provider before starting or stopping any medicine or supplement.

  • Intervention
  • In this atlas

Overview

Technical summary

USPSTF 2024: two I statements (insufficient evidence) for asymptomatic pregnant adolescents and adults, each recorded as a separate claim. The abstract gives survey data from 1999 to 2006 estimating that iron deficiency in pregnancy is near 18% overall and rises across the trimesters (6.9%, 14.3% and 28.4%), and that an estimated 5% of pregnant persons have iron deficiency anemia. Other guidance on iron in pregnancy is not covered.

About this intervention

Type
Medicine
Mechanism
Not reported

Claims and evidence

Context Asymptomatic pregnant adolescents and adults (USPSTF 2024 iron statement)

Recipient
Maternal
Population
Asymptomatic pregnant adolescents and adults.
Care setting
Not stated in the PubMed abstract
Geography
United States (statement of the US Preventive Services Task Force); the abstract names no country.
Life stage
Pregnancy
Gestational age
Not reported
Postnatal age
Not reported
Follow-up
Not applicable (recommendation context)
Eligibility: 1 inclusion criterion; 1 exclusion criterion
Included
  • Asymptomatic pregnant adolescents and adults
Excluded
  • Not stated in the PubMed abstract

  • Recommendation Guidance Certainty not assessed

    The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in asymptomatic pregnant persons to prevent adverse maternal and infant health outcomes. It labels this an I statement and says the balance of benefits and harms cannot be determined.

    Applies to Maternal
    • Asymptomatic pregnant adolescents and adults.
    • Not stated in the PubMed abstract
    • United States (statement of the US Preventive Services Task Force); the abstract names no country.
    • Pregnancy
    • Gestational age Not reported
    • Postnatal age Not reported
    Follow-up Not applicable (recommendation context)
    Certainty method
    Not assessed
    Limitations
    An I statement is a statement about the evidence: the task force could not determine the balance of benefits and harms. It is not a recommendation for or against screening, and it does not say screening is harmful or useless. Only the PubMed abstract was read.
    Last checked
    2026-10-14
    Next evidence check due
    Not scheduled
    Sources and citations (6)

    1. Supports Screening and Supplementation for Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

      Publication · JAMA · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, fetched 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not fetched. · Published 2024-09-17 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.15196 · PMID: 39163015

      Locator
      Abstract, EVIDENCE ASSESSMENT, sentence 1
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract of the USPSTF 2024 statement.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      c7b15894af7ca080a6de1c55e87627a2c3716c9788457bc62999f227a6c81557
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    2. Supports Screening and Supplementation for Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

      Publication · JAMA · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, fetched 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not fetched. · Published 2024-09-17 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.15196 · PMID: 39163015

      Locator
      Abstract, RECOMMENDATION, sentence 1
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract of the USPSTF 2024 statement.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      c7b15894af7ca080a6de1c55e87627a2c3716c9788457bc62999f227a6c81557
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    3. Background Screening and Supplementation for Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

      Publication · JAMA · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, fetched 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not fetched. · Published 2024-09-17 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.15196 · PMID: 39163015

      Locator
      Abstract, POPULATION, sentence 1
      How it applies
      Population, objective and background.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      c7b15894af7ca080a6de1c55e87627a2c3716c9788457bc62999f227a6c81557
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    4. Background Screening and Supplementation for Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

      Publication · JAMA · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, fetched 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not fetched. · Published 2024-09-17 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.15196 · PMID: 39163015

      Locator
      Abstract, OBJECTIVE, sentence 1
      How it applies
      Population, objective and background.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      c7b15894af7ca080a6de1c55e87627a2c3716c9788457bc62999f227a6c81557
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    5. Background Screening and Supplementation for Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

      Publication · JAMA · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, fetched 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not fetched. · Published 2024-09-17 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.15196 · PMID: 39163015

      Locator
      Abstract, IMPORTANCE, sentence 1
      How it applies
      Population, objective and background.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      c7b15894af7ca080a6de1c55e87627a2c3716c9788457bc62999f227a6c81557
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    6. Background Screening and Supplementation for Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

      Publication · JAMA · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, fetched 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not fetched. · Published 2024-09-17 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.15196 · PMID: 39163015

      Locator
      Abstract, IMPORTANCE, sentence 3
      How it applies
      Population, objective and background.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      c7b15894af7ca080a6de1c55e87627a2c3716c9788457bc62999f227a6c81557
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

  • Recommendation Guidance Certainty not assessed

    The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of routine supplementation for iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in asymptomatic pregnant persons to prevent adverse maternal and infant health outcomes. It labels this an I statement and says the balance of benefits and harms cannot be determined.

    Applies to Maternal
    • Asymptomatic pregnant adolescents and adults.
    • Not stated in the PubMed abstract
    • United States (statement of the US Preventive Services Task Force); the abstract names no country.
    • Pregnancy
    • Gestational age Not reported
    • Postnatal age Not reported
    Follow-up Not applicable (recommendation context)
    Certainty method
    Not assessed
    Limitations
    An I statement is a statement about the evidence: the task force could not determine the balance of benefits and harms. It is not a recommendation against iron supplements, and it does not say supplements are harmful or useless. Other guidance on iron in pregnancy is outside this claim. Only the PubMed abstract was read.
    Last checked
    2026-10-14
    Next evidence check due
    Not scheduled
    Sources and citations (5)

    1. Supports Screening and Supplementation for Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

      Publication · JAMA · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, fetched 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not fetched. · Published 2024-09-17 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.15196 · PMID: 39163015

      Locator
      Abstract, EVIDENCE ASSESSMENT, sentence 2
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract of the USPSTF 2024 statement.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      c7b15894af7ca080a6de1c55e87627a2c3716c9788457bc62999f227a6c81557
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    2. Supports Screening and Supplementation for Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

      Publication · JAMA · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, fetched 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not fetched. · Published 2024-09-17 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.15196 · PMID: 39163015

      Locator
      Abstract, RECOMMENDATION, sentence 2
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract of the USPSTF 2024 statement.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      c7b15894af7ca080a6de1c55e87627a2c3716c9788457bc62999f227a6c81557
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    3. Supports Screening and Supplementation for Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

      Publication · JAMA · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, fetched 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not fetched. · Published 2024-09-17 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.15196 · PMID: 39163015

      Locator
      Abstract, RECOMMENDATION, sentence 3
      How it applies
      PubMed abstract of the USPSTF 2024 statement.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      c7b15894af7ca080a6de1c55e87627a2c3716c9788457bc62999f227a6c81557
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    4. Background Screening and Supplementation for Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

      Publication · JAMA · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, fetched 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not fetched. · Published 2024-09-17 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.15196 · PMID: 39163015

      Locator
      Abstract, POPULATION, sentence 1
      How it applies
      Population and objective.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      c7b15894af7ca080a6de1c55e87627a2c3716c9788457bc62999f227a6c81557
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

    5. Background Screening and Supplementation for Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

      Publication · JAMA · Edition PubMed record (abstract and bibliographic data) from NCBI E-utilities, fetched 2026-10-14. The full text and the version of record were not fetched. · Published 2024-09-17 · DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.15196 · PMID: 39163015

      Locator
      Abstract, OBJECTIVE, sentence 1
      How it applies
      Population and objective.
      Retrieved
      Source effective date
      Not reported
      Source state
      Current
      Snapshot hash
      c7b15894af7ca080a6de1c55e87627a2c3716c9788457bc62999f227a6c81557
      Reuse basis
      PubMed record fetched through NCBI E-utilities. Only the hash of the bytes is kept, because publisher copyright may apply to the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/). Short factual quotations under 25 words, with the citation.

Guidance

Evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against: Iron supplementation and iron screening in pregnancy

Applies to Maternal
  • Asymptomatic pregnant adolescents and adults.
  • Not stated in the PubMed abstract
  • United States (statement of the US Preventive Services Task Force); the abstract names no country.
  • Pregnancy
  • Gestational age Not reported
  • Postnatal age Not reported
Follow-up Not applicable (recommendation context)
Issued by
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
Guideline
USPSTF 2024: screening and supplementation for iron deficiency in pregnancy; Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy: Screening and Supplementation (USPSTF final recommendation statement page), edition Final recommendation statement page as fetched on 2026-10-14 (mx-uspstf-iron-deficiency-anemia-in-pregnant-women-screening-and-supplementation.html). The date under the title is August 20, 2024.
Strength
I statement (USPSTF letter grades: A, B, C and D recommendations, and the I statement for when the evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against. The grade reflects the Task Force's certainty about net benefit. These are not GRADE strength labels.)
Effective
2024-08-20 (The date under the title of the USPSTF final recommendation statement page, August 20, 2024. The statement was also published in JAMA, which has its own issue date.)
Jurisdictions
United States; note: United States (the issuer is a United States task force).
Supersession
Not checked
Basis
The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in asymptomatic pregnant persons to prevent adverse maternal and infant health outcomes. It labels this an I statement and says the balance of benefits and harms cannot be determined.

Limitations. An I statement is a statement about the evidence: the task force could not determine the balance of benefits and harms. It is not a recommendation for or against screening, and it does not say screening is harmful or useless. Only the PubMed abstract was read.

Evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against: Iron supplementation and iron screening in pregnancy

Applies to Maternal
  • Asymptomatic pregnant adolescents and adults.
  • Not stated in the PubMed abstract
  • United States (statement of the US Preventive Services Task Force); the abstract names no country.
  • Pregnancy
  • Gestational age Not reported
  • Postnatal age Not reported
Follow-up Not applicable (recommendation context)
Issued by
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
Guideline
USPSTF 2024: screening and supplementation for iron deficiency in pregnancy; Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy: Screening and Supplementation (USPSTF final recommendation statement page), edition Final recommendation statement page as fetched on 2026-10-14 (mx-uspstf-iron-deficiency-anemia-in-pregnant-women-screening-and-supplementation.html). The date under the title is August 20, 2024.
Strength
I statement (USPSTF letter grades: A, B, C and D recommendations, and the I statement for when the evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against. The grade reflects the Task Force's certainty about net benefit. These are not GRADE strength labels.)
Effective
2024-08-20 (The date under the title of the USPSTF final recommendation statement page, August 20, 2024. The statement was also published in JAMA, which has its own issue date.)
Jurisdictions
United States; note: United States (the issuer is a United States task force).
Supersession
Not checked
Basis
The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of routine supplementation for iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in asymptomatic pregnant persons to prevent adverse maternal and infant health outcomes. It labels this an I statement and says the balance of benefits and harms cannot be determined.

Limitations. An I statement is a statement about the evidence: the task force could not determine the balance of benefits and harms. It is not a recommendation against iron supplements, and it does not say supplements are harmful or useless. Other guidance on iron in pregnancy is outside this claim. Only the PubMed abstract was read.

Record details

Record id
maternal:antenatal-iron-supplementation
Content hash
8facc2a43d18c1fd3a521159e93e8afefacc3074893df25f418928c23e4c79b6