Erythrocyte indices in pregnancy: effect of intermittent iron supplementation

Erythrocyte indices change in pregnancy, mainly due to physiological haemodilution and iron-deficient erythropoiesis. The present study was undertaken to determine the haematological indices during different periods of gestation in women receiving daily iron supplements and compare them with those in women receiving weekly iron supplements. Pregnant women < 20 weeks of gestation attending the antenatal clinic at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences were randomized to receive either 100 mg elemental iron daily or 200 mg elemental iron weekly. The haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration were estimated at baseline, after 1 month, 3 months and at 34 weeks of gestation. Changes consistent with physiological haemodilution in mid-term pregnancy were noted and the values at 34 weeks of gestation were not significantly different between the two groups. The effects of intermittent iron supplementation on the erythrocyte indices in pregnancy are comparable with those observed with daily supplementation.