LAUSR

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. Using a 28‐week haemoglobin (Hb) threshold of ≥110 g/L, seven out of ten could safely forego a routine 36‐week full blood count. Less than 2.5% would then be anaemic at 36 weeks, none of whom would have had a Hb < 90 g/L.