Evaluation of effectiveness of iron-folate supplementation and anthelminthic therapy against anemia in pregnancy--a study in the plantation sector of Sri Lanka.
Intervention measures against anemia available to plantation workers during pregnancy include fortified food supplements (thriposha) and iron-folate supplements containing 60 mg elemental Fe. The effectiveness of these intervention measures was studied in 195 subjects whose iron and nutritional status were assessed at < 24 and > 32 wk of gestation. Taking thriposha conferred no significant benefit on maternal nutritional status, probably because sufficient amounts were not consumed. An increase in the duration of iron-folate supplementation to > 17 wk caused a significant positive change (P < 0.01) in hemoglobin, whereas an increase in the dose frequency had no significant benefit. Anthelminthic therapy in addition to iron-folate supplements caused a significant positive change in hemoglobin (P < 0.001) and serum ferritin (P < 0.005) compared with no supplementation. Thus, anthelminthic therapy significantly increased the beneficial effects of iron supplementation on hemoglobin concentration and iron status.
Atukorala
T M
TM
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
de Silva
L D
LD
Dechering
W H
WH
Dassenaeike
T S
TS
Perera
R S
RS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015597:Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / Q000188:drug therapy; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000097:blood; D013188:Sri Lanka
D000871:Anthelmintics; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006454:Hemoglobins; D011524:Protoporphyrins; D005492:Folic Acid; D007501:Iron