Anaemia remains a persistent public health issue. It affects an estimated 500 million women 15–49 years of age, including 37% of pregnant women and 30% of non-pregnant women (1). Anaemia may range from mild to severe, causing symptoms like fatigue and shortness of breath, which reduce a person's capacity for learning and physical work (2). It also significantly increases the risk of maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. During pregnancy, women with anaemia have a higher probability of pre-eclampsia and of prenatal depression. The newborn is more likely to be low birth weight, small-for-gestational age or stillborn. By preventing, diagnosing and managing anaemia, health and well-being is improved, contributing to improved economic growth and reduced gender inequalities, as anaemia affects twice as many women as men.
Despite being a World Health Assembly Global Nutrition Target and an indicator of progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, the prevalence of anaemia has not appreciably decreased over the past decade. The causes of anaemia are often complex, involving micronutrient deficiencies, infections, inflammation, chronic diseases and inherited red blood cell disorders. For adolescent girls and women, gynaecological and obstetric conditions also play a role. Interventions have focused on preventing and managing infections (e.g. malaria, soil transmitted helminths), and iron deficiency through the use of iron and folic acid supplementation. However, coverage has been low. Since 2020, the use of antenatal multiple micronutrient supplements that include iron and folic acid has been recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the context of rigorous research, and research on the use of intravenous iron has shown promise in some settings.
In May 2023, WHO launched a Comprehensive framework for action to accelerate anaemia reduction , advocating for coordinated action across systems and emphasizing a broad approach to diagnosis, prevention and management. This includes addressing all main causes of anaemia and the broader social inequities related to education, poverty, food insecurity and lack of access to family planning, health and nutrition services and clean water, sanitation and hygiene. Addressing both the causes and risk factors simultaneously is essential for effective anaemia control.
An Expert Group on the Prevention, Diagnosis and Management of Maternal Anaemia meeting will be held virtually on 14–15 April 2025 to discuss findings from a state of the evidence review on maternal anaemia, identify evidence and knowledge gaps, and highlight priority areas for updating or providing new guidance on the prevention, diagnosis and management of anaemia during pregnancy and postpartum. The Expert Group will ensure that anaemia is being addressed from multiple perspectives and with a person-centred approach.
In keeping with the requirements of the WHO Compliance, Risk Management and Ethics Office, short biographies of the expert group members will be posted online. The listed candidates have also submitted a declaration of interest form stating any conflict of interest. WHO has applied its internal processes to ensure that the performance of the above tasks by members of this group will be transparent and without any significant conflict of interests (academic, financial or other) that could affect the credibility of the guideline.
