Effect of iron supplementation prophylactic on maternal iron status and pregnancy outcome

Considering the iron supplementation during pregnancy and the problems due to over using of this supplementation, almostall women take iron supplementation during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the iron supplementation prophylactic on outcome and the problems of pregnancies. In this double- blind randomized clinical trial study 129 women with Hb > 110 g/l, serum ferritin > 20 µg/l and gestational age less than 20 weeks were randomly divided to receive either of ferrous sulfate tablets (n=62), 1 table / day (60 mg) or placebo (n=67). Hemoglobin and ferritin were also measured in the 24-28th weeks and at the end of pregnancy. In addition, weight and length were recorded at the beginning and during the pregnancy in both groups. Data were analyzed using independent-t test, ANOVA, and Chi square tests. Iron deficiency prevalence in Fe and placebo groups was found 5.8 and 24.8 percent in the 24-28th weeks (P=0.002) and 9.5 and 28.2 percent at the end of the study respectively. No significant differences were found in hemoglobin and ferritin indices during the study in both groups. Average birth weight was 3.30±0.49 Kg and 3.27±0.47 Kg in Fe and placebo groups, respectively. Average length birth was 49.1±3.9 cm in Fe group versus 49.3±4.4 cm in placebo group. Duration of gestation in Fe and placebo groups were 38.9±1.7 weeks and 38.8±2.2 weeks, respectively (P>0.05). The results of this study showed that iron supplementation during pregnancy may have no effect on pregnancy outcome. It is obvious that because of more iron deficiency prevalence in placebo group, absolute conclusion about whether iron supplementation prophylactic during pregnancy is useful or not, more studies are needed in the future.