Pregnancy and iron, ferritin and IL-3 in the blood

In Georgia, we were first who tried to study adolescent pregnant women with anemia (age group 14-18ys). We studied the reasons which have caused anemia in the pregnant women of this age. This gave us the opportunity to chose correct methods of treatment and establish that adolescents are at increased risk of anemia, especially at younger ages (14-16 years). We have studied 200 pregnant women, 100 teenagers (study group) and 100 adult women (control group). In both groups we have investigated the level of iron, ferritin, and IL-3 in the blood serum. Iron-deficiency anemia was observed in the first trimester of pregnancy in 35% of pregnant adolescents. Usually the quantity of iron in the body during the first trimester is close to norm, but in our case, age and inadequate food intake in connection with the desire to be slim, play their role. Other clinical manifestations of anemia were not revealed. Iron deficiency anemia found in 22% of the adult group. Number of pregnant women with iron-deficiency anemia was considerably higher in both groups (adolescents and adults) in the third trimester, and quantity of ferritin was at the lower border of the norm. The need of iron usually increases up to 3mg/day in the second trimester and 3.5-4mg/day in the third trimester. In some women Level of IL-3 in the blood was normal (that indicate to the adequate hematopoiesis), serum iron quantity was at the lower border of the norm, Ferritin level was increased and clinical- laboratory indices revealed presence of infection. In our case the number of such patients was 28% among adolescents and 21% among adults. In other cases hematopoiesis was normal (IL-3 level was normal) and there were no signs of infectious disease, but clinical manifestations of anemia were still present which indicated to the presence of physiological anemia due to increased circulatory volume.