[Iron metabolism during pregnancy at high altitudes].
A comparative study of iron metabolism was conducted in pregnant women for three Peruvian localities of different elevations: Lima (sea level), La Oroya (3.700 m) and Puno (3.900 m). As predicted, the survey showed hematocrits and hemoglobin concentration values 20 to 30% higher in the Andean women, but the serum iron concentration was unexpectedly lower in Lima than at the higher localities (49 vs. 85 to 90 ug/dl). These results may be explained by the larger iron content found in the water consumed as well as in the cooking pottery utilized at high altitude.
Reynafarje Hurtado
C
C
Instituto de Biología Andina, Universidad Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru.
D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003297:Cooking and Eating Utensils; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D008297:Male; D010568:Peru; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000378:metabolism*; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012424:Rural Population; D014168:Transferrin / Q000032:analysis; D014505:Urban Population; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis
D006454:Hemoglobins; D014168:Transferrin; D007501:Iron