Table 2 Study characteristics and the association between anaemia or iron deficiency during postnatal period and maternal fatigue

Hamm et al. 2020 [23]

RCT open-label; USA

Moderate

N = 66 (single RBCs: 33, multiple RBCs; 33)

MFI

P = 0.13

Holm et al. 2019 [24]

RCT open-label; Denmark

Moderate

N = 85 (Oral iron; 44, and Iron isomaltoside; 41)

MFI

P < .0001

Prick et al. 2014 [35]

RCT open-label; Netherlands

Moderate

N = 521 (Non-intervention; 262, RBCs; 259)

MFI and SF-36

P = 0.01

Westad et al. 2008 [36]

RCT open-label; Norway

Moderate

N = 128 (IV + oral iron; 58, oral iron only; 70

MFI and SF-36

P = 0.03

Hatzis et al. 2003 [37]

Matched intervention trial; Greece

Moderate

N = 74 (EPO; 37 and oral iron; 37)

Physical assessment: clinical symptoms of fatigue

P = 0.0012

Chandrasekaran et al. 2018 [9]

Prospective Observational; Canada

Moderate

N = 248

SF-36

OR: 1.03 (95% CI: 0.34; 2.94)

Van Der Woude et al. 2014 [8]

Prospective Cohort; Netherlands

Moderate

N = 220 (Anaemic; 112, No anaemia; 108)

SF-36

P = 0.008^a

Miller et al. 2016 [32]

Prospective Observational; USA

High

N = 63

SF-36 and MFI

P > 0.05

Jansen et al. 2007 [38]

Prospective Cohort: Netherlands

High

N = 141

MFI

P = 0.002

Lee et al. 1999 [39]

Prospective Observational; USA

High

N = 30

Lee Fatigue Scale

r = -.27, p < .05^b

r = -.44, p = .01^c

Paterson et al. 1994 [34]

Prospective Observational; United Kingdom

High

N = 1010

Physical assessment: feeling low energy

P = 0.05