IRON DEFICIENCY AND IT’S LEVEL IN IRANIAN PREGNANT WOMEN

Background and Aim: Iron-deficiency anemia is associated with adverse neonatal health outcomes. Iron status and its determinants were assessed in a representative sample of Iranian pregnant women. Blood samples were collected and a questionnaire was completed face-to-face. Hemoglobin (Hb) and mean cell volume ( MCV) were measured using a Sysmex XS-1000 Hematology Analyzer and serum ferritin (SF) and transferrin receptor (sTFR) concentrations by immunoassay. Methods: In total, 2 dietitian clinics and 248pregnant women were included. Approximately 38% of third-trimester and 6% of first-trimester women had SF levels less than 20 μg/L. Approximately 23% of third-trimester and 4% of first-trimester women had anemia (Hb <120 g/L). Of the third-trimester women, 23% were iron-deficient (SF <20 μg/L and Hb ≥120 g/L), 16% had iron-deficiency anemia (SF <15 μg/L and Hb <110 g/L), and approximately 7% had tissue iron deficiency (sTFR > 8.5 mg/L). The median body iron stores were 8.1 mg/kg among first-trimester women, but only 3.6 mg/kg among third-trimester women. SF levels were significantly positively associated with age and education level, and were higher among nulliparous women and lower among multiparous women. Conclusion: sTFR concentrations were significantly negatively associated with age and were lower among smokers, nulliparous women, and women who planned their pregnancy. Despite the fact that two thirds of Iranian pregnant women took iron-containing supplements, iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia were frequent in third-trimester women. The World Health Organization regards this as a moderate public health problem. National iron supplementation guidelines are needed in Iranian to optimize iron status during pregnancy.

Keywords:

Iron Deficiency , Pregnant Women , sTFR