What is the required increase in dietary iron for pregnant women?

During pregnancy, women have increased nutritional needs to support fetal development, and one of the critical nutrients in this regard is iron. The physiological changes associated with pregnancy elevate the requirement for iron due to expanded blood volume and the growing demand from the developing fetus.

The recommended increase in dietary iron for pregnant women is around 30 mg per day. This recommendation is based on guidelines established by health organizations to mitigate the risk of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy, ensuring both maternal health and proper fetal development. Iron plays a crucial role in oxygen transport, and insufficient iron levels can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes, including fatigue for the mother and developmental issues for the baby.

While the other suggested amounts of increase may appear significant, they exceed the established recommendations for pregnant women. Therefore, the requirement of 30 mg/day is accurate and aligned with nutritional guidelines for this specific population.