The utility of routine screening for anaemia at 36 weeks gestation.

Anaemia is a global disease, affecting over 1 billion people worldwide; 12% of Australian women experience anaemia in pregnancy. Professional bodies/institutions recommend screening for and treating anaemia in pregnancy but there is inconsistency in recommendations for when to screen. A ten-year retrospective analysis was undertaken of 10 518 pregnancies where there was not a specific indication for repeat blood tests.