According to a study, the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) elevated by 13% between 2008 and 2018 (from 10.1% to 11.4%); this increase in prevalence was particularly pronounced in about one-half of the WIC agencies. Researchers sought to assess anemia among expectant mothers who took part in special supplemental nutrition program for WIC.

Low haemoglobin levels, or anemia, can raise the risk of fetal and maternal mortality and morbidity in pregnant women, as well as the likelihood of preterm birth and other side effects. Anemia is frequently caused by iron deficiency, and pregnant women need more iron. There is limited monitoring of anemia during pregnancy in the US. The possibility to establish national and WIC state agency-level* anemia monitoring for WIC subjects is made possible by Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for WIC Participant and Program Characteristics (PC) data.

Utilizing WIC-PC data from 2008 to 2018, an examination of national and state agency anemia prevalences among pregnant WIC subjects was done at recruitment. Anemia incidence among pregnant WIC subjects at recruitment elevated substantially among all ninety WIC agencies (34 Indian Tribal Organizations, five territories, the District of Columbia [DC], and 50 states), from 10.1% in 2008 to 11.4% in 2018 (13% rise). Of the 56 agencies throughout the states, the DC, and territories, anemia prevalence declined substantially in 11 (20%) and elevated considerably in 36 (64%).

Compared to other ethnic or racial groups, African American (Black) or non-Hispanic Black  women had a greater prevalence of anemia both by pregnancy trimester and overall. Compared to women evaluated during the 1st or 2nd trimesters of pregnancy, the occurrence of anemia was greater in those evaluated during the 3rd trimester. Using WIC enrollment anemia data, routine anemic surveillance can identify populations at increased risk of iron deficiency.

WIC offers pregnant women supplemental meals that meet their nutritional needs, particularly foods high in iron, as well as nutrition education and referrals to medical and social assistance. An efficient way to find women who have this nutritional risk and may require further care is through anemia evaluation during the WIC certification process.