Evidence for iron deficiency screening “inadequate,” US panel concludes

The evidence to support routine screening of asymptomatic pregnant women and children for iron deficiency anemia is inadequate, the US Preventive Services Task Force has found.

The task force is an independent body commissioned by the US government to make recommendations concerning the effectiveness of preventive care services for asymptomatic patients. Its panels do not have regulatory authority but their recommendations are often influential in guiding policy and practice.

The task force released two draft recommendations on screening for iron deficiency on 1 April, one on screening pregnant women and a second on screening children aged 6 to 24 months.1 2 These recommendations were based on two systematic reviews, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, respectively.3 …