title: Assessment of iron status of Filipino pregnant women.
abstract: Plasma ferritin (PF), erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP) and hemoglobin (Hb) were used to assess the iron status of 158 Filipino pregnant women included as subjects in the third national nutrition survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute in 1987. The prevalence of iron depletion was 39.9% based on PF (less than 12 ng/ml). Iron deficient erythropoiesis was present in 36.1% based on EP of greater than 28 micrograms/dl whole blood and 40.5% based on EP/Hb ratio of greater than 2.4. When the criterion of iron deficiency was that both PF and EP were abnormal, the prevalence of deficiency was lower and only 16.4%. Iron deficiency anemia was present in 14.6% based on Hb less than 11 g/dl in addition to abnormal PF and EP. Significantly lower mean values for PF were obtained in women on the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy indicating decreasing iron stores and the need for iron therapy to prevent anemia during those periods. The iron status of 38 women who reported taking iron supplements was not significantly different from those who did not take supplements.
authors.affiliation: Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, Manila, Philippines.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Kuizon
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Tajaon
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Madriaga
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Perlas
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Desnacido
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000747:Anemia, Hypochromic / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D010679:Philippines; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000097:blood; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D011166:Porphyrins; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron