title: Haematological response to supplements of iron and riboflavin to pregnant and lactating women in rural Gambia.
abstract: Eighty-one pregnant or lactating women living in a village in The Gambia were allocated to treatment groups to receive a daily placebo, riboflavin, ferrous sulphate or ferrous sulphate plus riboflavin. At the beginning of the study and at 3 and 6 weeks thereafter women were examined clinically and blood samples collected for haematological and biochemical measurements. Pregnant women showed a wide range of response to supplement but among the lactating women an interesting pattern emerged: whereas the haematological status of the placebo group declined over 6 weeks, in the group receiving iron supplements this deterioration was reduced although not significantly. Riboflavin given in addition to iron resulted in a significant increase in circulating plasma iron and in iron stores, relative to the placebo.
mesh_terms: D000747:Anemia, Hypochromic / Q000097:blood; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D005980:Glutathione Reductase / Q000097:blood; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood*; D007774:Lactation; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000097:blood; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D012257:Riboflavin Deficiency / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D006454:Hemoglobins; C020748:ferrous sulfate; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron; D005980:Glutathione Reductase; D012256:Riboflavin