Anemia among women of reproductive age: A hidden misery: Maternal anemia: A preventable cause of mortality in developing world

Anemia is one of the major public health issues among women of reproductive age as it leads to high maternal and infant morbidity, and mortality mainly in low-middle income countries. Around 528.7 million (29.4%) women of reproductive age are anemic, of which 20.2 million women are severely anemic. South-East Asia demonstrates a high burden of anemia among women (41.9%), followed by African and Eastern Mediterranean regions with a prevalence of 41.9% and 37.8%, respectively. Anemia can lead to multiple adverse consequences by impairing oxygen delivery to the fetus resulting in intrauterine growth retardation, stillbirths, preterm births, low birth weight and neonatal deaths.