Iron deficiency, pregnancy and breast-feeding in the Republic of Niger

Body iron stores in 173 African women were evaluated by serum ferritin radioimmunoassay. The population studied was selected only by its accessibility in Guesheme, Dosso county, and other villages in Niamey and Dosso counties, Republic of niger. Iron fumarate (Fumafer) was systematically administered orally (400 mg/d) for one month. 95 women were revisited at the end of treatment. 22% of revisited women were iron deficient before treatment (serum ferritin less than 12 ng/ml); after one month of treatment only 8% had serum ferritin below the threshold value of 12 ng/ml, in spite of the low doses of iron fumarate administration; and the response to treatment was more significant in multiparous women. These results emphasize the very high prevalence of iron deficiency in the population studied, and demonstrate the need for systematic iron treatment of the multiparous women living in rural areas. The efficacy of low doses of iron fumarate is clear.