Which of the following statements about the various forms of hepatitis is accurate?

Choice A reason: This is incorrect. Decreased production of erythrocytes (red blood cells) is a consequence, not a cause, of iron deficiency anemia. Iron is needed to make hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in the red blood cells. Without enough iron, the body cannot produce enough hemoglobin or red blood cells¹.

Choice B reason: This is correct. Inadequate intake of iron is the most common cause of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy. Pregnant women need more iron than nonpregnant women to support the increased blood volume and the fetal growth. If the dietary intake of iron is not sufficient, the body will use up its iron stores, leading to iron deficiency anemia.

Choice C reason: This is incorrect. Dilution of hemoglobin concentration is a normal physiological change during pregnancy, not a cause of iron deficiency anemia. The blood volume increases by 20% to 30% during pregnancy, while the red blood cell mass increases by only 15% to 20%. This results in a lower concentration of hemoglobin in the blood, but not necessarily a lower amount of hemoglobin or iron³.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect. The fetus establishing iron stores is not a cause of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy, although it can contribute to it. The fetus needs iron for its own development and growth, and it obtains iron from the mother through the placenta. The fetal iron demand increases in the second and third trimesters, when the fetus accumulates iron in its liver and other tissues. This can deplete the maternal iron stores, especially if the mother does not consume enough iron.

Choice A reason: None of the above is incorrect because the other choices are not true statements about the overall number of cases of STIs.

Choice B reason: Staying about the same is incorrect because the overall number of cases of STIs is not constant. According to the World Health Organization, more than 1 million STIs are acquired every day worldwide.

Choice C reason: Going down is incorrect because the overall number of cases of STIs is not decreasing. On the contrary, some STIs such as syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia are resurging in many regions due to factors such as antimicrobial resistance, lack of access to prevention and treatment services, and stigma.

Choice D reason: Rising is correct because the overall number of cases of STIs is increasing globally. The World Health Organization estimates that there were 376 million new cases of four curable STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis) in 2016, up from 357 million in 2012. Additionally, there are millions of cases of incurable STIs such as herpes, HPV, and HIV that affect the health and well-being of people worldwide.