title: Combined iron and zinc supplementation improves haematologic status of pregnant women in Upper West Region of Ghana.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Though pregnant women in Ghana routinely receive iron and folic acid supplements, the prevalence of anaemia continues to be as high as 70%.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the impact of zinc deficiency on iron status indicators in pregnant women.
  
  
  METHODS
  A double-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) of joint iron and zinc supplementation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted in the Upper West Region of Ghana, where the prevalence of anaemia is high.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population comprised pregnant women who presented themselves for antenatal care (ANC) in the Wa Regional Hospital of the Upper West Region in Ghana.
  
  
  METHODS
  The intervention group received a combined supplement of 40 mg zinc as zinc gluconate and 40 mg iron as ferrous sulphate. The control group received 40 mg elemental iron as ferrous sulphate.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary outcome measures were mean and percentage changes in Hb. Serum ferritin and zinc concentrations serve as secondary outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adjusted mean Hb increase was 0.6g/dl higher among women who were not iron replete (SF ferritin ≤ 20 µg/L) and received the iron-zinc supplement, compared to women who received iron-only supplement, F (1, 99) = 4.356, p = 0.039. Women who had low plasma zinc levels were 3-fold increased odds of developing iron deficiency at recruitment, (OR 3.41, 95% CI: 1.19-9.76).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Iron-zinc supplementation was effective in raising Hb and serum ferritin values among women who were iron deficient in early pregnancy but not among iron sufficient women.
authors: University for Development Studies, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, P .O. Box 1350, Tamale, Ghana. mmsaaka@gmail.com
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Saaka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005869:Ghana; D005942:Gluconates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D055815:Young Adult; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency*
chemical_list: D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D005942:Gluconates; D006454:Hemoglobins; C020748:ferrous sulfate; D005293:Ferritins; D015032:Zinc; C030691:gluconic acid
keywords: Ghana; Iron-zinc supplementation; iron-deficiency anaemia; plasma zinc; serum ferritin concentrations
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