Iron status markers in nonanemic pregnant women with and without iron supplementation

Abstract

Objective: To measure levels of markers of anemia before and after delivery in women who had high hemoglobin levels during the early stage of the second trimester of pregnancy and did not receive iron supplementation during their pregnancies.

Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial 244 women who had a hemoglobin concentration of 13.2 g/dL or greater and a serum ferritin level higher than 15 microg/L between the 13th and 18th week of pregnancy took either one 150-mg tablet of ferrous sulfate daily or placebo during their pregnancies. Markers of anemia were measured at the time of delivery and 6 weeks postpartum.

Results: There were statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in hematocrit as well as hemoglobin and ferritin levels both at the time of delivery and 6 weeks postpartum (P<0.05), but these differences were not clinically significant.

Conclusion: Not using iron supplementation did not cause a considerable decrease in markers of anemia in women with a hemoglobin concentration of 13.2 g/dL or greater in the second trimester of pregnancy.