title: Impact of prophylactic iron supplementation in healthy pregnant women on maternal iron status and birth outcome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In spite of the beneficial effect of iron supplementation in iron-deficient pregnant women, iron supplementation may not be needed for women who are iron replete or not anemic. Moreover, the theoretical possibility of adverse effects, such as oxidative damage,from administration of iron supplements during pregnancy has been raised.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of prophylactic iron supplementation on iron status and birth outcomes among nonanemic pregnant women. METHODS. A randomized, triple-blind clinical trial was conducted. One hundred forty-eight nonanemic pregnant women with hemoglobin > 110 g/L, serum ferritin > 12 microg/L, and gestational age < 20 weeks were randomly assigned to receive either ferrous sulfate (60 mg elemental iron) (n = 70) or placebo (n = 78) until delivery. Hemoglobin concentration and serum ferritin were measured by electronic counter and radioimmunoassay, respectively. Data were analyzed by independent t-tests, ANCOVA, and repeated measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At delivery, the incidence of iron deficiency was significantly lower in the iron than in the placebo group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in maternal hemoglobin and ferritin concentrations at delivery or in the infant's birthweight, birth length, or length of gestation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Iron supplementation during pregnancy in nonanemic women with low serum ferritin may have benefits beyond the prevention of iron-deficiency anemia.
authors.affiliation: Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran. falahi.e@lums.ac.ir
authors.forename: Ebrahim
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Falahi
authors.forename: Soheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akbari
authors.forename: Farzad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ebrahimzade
authors.forename: Bahram Pourghasem
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Gargari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D019266:Iron, Dietary; D005293:Ferritins