antenatal screening programme
Anaemia
Anaemia is a condition caused by a lack of red blood cells. This causes weakness, breathlessness and reduced energy. It is quite common during pregnancy when a woman needs more iron and other vitamins.
Read more about anaemia on the NHS website.
UK NSC screening recommendation Based on the last UK NSC review of this condition that occurred in October 2021.
A population screening programme for IDA in pregnant women is not recommended because:
- it is not clear whether pregnant women with mild to moderate IDA will benefit from treatment
- there was no evidence on what the benefits and harms associated with screening for IDA are Clinical practice guidelines are covered by The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the British Society for Haematology (BSH).
Supporting documents from the 2021 review
Evidence review
This document provides the evidence on which the current UK NSC recommendation is based.
Coversheet
This document summarises the review process including the public consultation comments.
Review cycle
Date previous review completed: 2021
Next review estimated to be completed: 2024 to 2025.
To see previous evidence reviews, visit the UK NSC archive.
Organisations interested in Anaemia
These organisations have expressed interest in this recommendation and may submit responses to evidence reviews.
List of organisations
- British Dietetic Association Paediatric Specialist Group
- Faculty of Public Health
- Royal College of General Practitioners
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
- Royal College of Physicians
- Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
- Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
If you think your organisation should be added, please contact us.