What is Foetal requirement of iron is about: and explain in detail?
Iron is transpoed actively across placenta to the fetus. Iron requirement during pregnancy is considerable and is mostly limited to the second half of the pregnancy specially to the last 12 weeks. Total iron requirement during pregnancy is estimated approximately 1000 mg. This is distributed in fetus and placenta 300mg and expanded red cell mass 400mg. There is obligatory loss of about 200 mg through normal routes. Also Know: Iron is absorbed in ferrous form from duodenum and jejunum and is released into the circulation as transferrin. Iron is transpoed actively across the placenta to the fetus. Iron is not squarely distributed throughout the pregnancy but mostly limited to the third trimester. Ref: Textbook of Obstetrics D.C.Dutta, 6th Ed, Page 54-55.