What you'll learn in this expert session
While it has been long understood that iron deficiency in pregnancy is both common and clinically important, our understanding of this condition continues to evolve.
Recent research has shown that iron deficiency is not only problematic for the mother and foetus during the pregnancy, but that there can be longer term impacts on neurocognitive development that extend into childhood.
While there has been some debate about how aggressively we should pursue these aims, these findings are imperative to detect and correct iron deficiency in pregnancy promptly. This is an important update for all those health professionals who work with women who are or are planning a pregnancy.
About the Expert
Clinical A/Prof Pradeep Jayasuriya
Clinical A/Prof Pradeep Jayasuriya is the principal of a small independent general practice in the Perth metropolitan area for the last 20 years. As a past Director of Research for the RACGP in WA, he has contributed to guideline initiatives including those for chronic disease self-management and preventive activities in general practice. More recent initiatives have included the development of a community-based iron infusion facility in collaboration with a Medicare Local and a related educational activity for primary care health professionals.
