[Clinical experience with iron supplementation in pregnancy]

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Nutritional Science
• Hematology

Background:

• Iron deficiency is a common complication during pregnancy, affecting maternal and fetal health.
• Adequate iron supplementation is crucial for preventing anemia and ensuring optimal pregnancy outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of Materna, an iron supplement, in improving iron status during pregnancy.
• To assess the influence of iron supplementation on various pregnancy outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 369 pregnant women categorized into preventive (Hb ≥ 110 g/L) and treatment (Hb < 110 g/L) groups.
• Randomized controlled trial comparing Materna, ferrous sulfate, Ferroids, and placebo groups.
• Maternal hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels were measured at enrollment and post-delivery; umbilical cord ferritin was also assessed.

Main Results:

• Materna significantly increased maternal serum ferritin levels in both preventive and treatment groups compared to controls or baseline.
• Materna showed superior efficacy in increasing serum ferritin compared to ferrous sulfate and Ferroids in anemic women.
• No significant differences in pregnancy outcomes were observed across all treatment and control groups.

Conclusions:

• Materna is effective in increasing iron storage and improving iron deficiency during pregnancy.
• Iron supplementation with Materna does not adversely affect pregnancy outcomes.
• This study supports the use of Materna for managing iron status in pregnant individuals.