Iron supplements versus Placebo during pregnancy: its effects on iron and folate status on mothers and newborns

Hematological, iron (Fe), and folate status were examined in 203 pregnant women (ages 16-41) at the start of the 6th month of pregnancy, and were compared to the same indices of 30 nonpregnant control women. Pregnant women having a hemoglobin (Hb) level under 11 g/dl were given Fe supplements. The effect of Fe supplementation on women having an HB level over 11 g/dl was evaluated in a blind controlled trial. The influence of Fe supplementation on blood count and on iron and folate status in mothers and their infants at birth also was examined. At 6 months gestation, 1/4th of the women had an Hb level below 11 g/dl, 1/3rd had a serum ferritin level below 12 micrograms/liter, and over 1/2 had low serum and red cell folate levels. Fe supplementation increased Hb and serum ferritin levels, but no differences were noted in serum ferritin levels of infants between mothers who did or did not receive Fe supplementation. Fe supplementation also had no effect on folate status in mothers or in infants; maternal folate levels and gestation duration, however, correlated significantly, suggesting that folate supplementation may reduce the incidence of premature delivery. (wz)