The most common nutritional deficiency worldwide may be affecting up to one-third of women of reproductive age in the United States – many of whom may not even be aware of it, as Ob Hospitalist Group (OBHG) Market Medical Director and USC Arcadia Hospital Site Director Dr. Melvin Seid recently told a gathering of his peers in Ottawa, Canada.
Many women dismiss the symptoms of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia (IDA), which primarily occurs due to iron loss from heavy menstrual periods and increased iron demands during pregnancy. Symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, and brain fog can seem too trivial to bring up to a clinician, and since there are no routine population-wide iron deficiency screening recommendations in the U.S. or Canada, an OB/GYN may never detect the condition.
But untreated IDA can cause several more serious pregnancy complications, including premature birth, low birth weight, and increased risk of death. At the Annual Clinical and Scientific Conference of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, Dr. Seid and his collaborators advocated for increased clinical awareness and proactive intervention for women across their lifespan, from adolescence through the reproductive years, pregnancy, and the postpartum period.
Their presentation, “Acting Early: Why Timely Diagnosis and Treatment of IDA Matters for Women’s Health,” also explored the burden and clinical implications of IDA and examined emerging evidence and evolving recommendations that support earlier recognition and timely intervention. Dr. Seid and his colleagues went on to discuss evidence-based treatment options for IDA and practical strategies to improve timely diagnosis and treatment in clinical practice.
For Dr. Seid, that approach reflects a broader philosophy of physician leadership.
In addition to serving as an OBHG market medical director in the Los Angeles area, Dr. Seid has built a career that spans hospital leadership, clinical research, and women’s health advocacy. His experience includes published work in obstetrics, gynecology, and hematology, along with recognition for both research and clinical excellence. His accolades include the Physician of the Quarter award from HealthPark Medical Center and an Award of Research Excellence from the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine. For nearly two decades, Dr. Seid has also partnered with Kybele, a global nonprofit focused on improving maternal and neonatal health in low-resource countries.
That commitment to advancing care beyond the bedside is reflected across OBHG’s physician leadership community.
Through conference presentations, research, and peer collaboration, OBHG clinicians help bring emerging evidence into everyday practice, strengthening care delivery while contributing to conversations that shape the future of women’s health.
By elevating awareness around conditions such as iron deficiency anemia, physician leaders like Dr. Seid demonstrate how timely action can make a meaningful difference for patients at every stage of life.