Abstract

COMPARISON BETWEEN RECOMMENDED DAILY DOSE AND MODIFIED REDUCED DOSES OF IRON PROPHYLAXIS IN NONANAEMIC PREGNANT WOMEN

Dr.Rajarshi Rahut, Dr.Subinay Datta, Dr.Mrinal Pal*, Dr.Amit Kumar Pradhan, Dr.Sudipta Sil

Abstract

Background: Recommended prophylactic daily dose iron supplementation in non-anaemic pregnant mothers increases the body iron store that leads to unfavourable pregnancy outcome. So the present study was conducted on pregnant mothers with reduced dose of elementary iron and to investigate whether the reduce dose of iron supplementation can reduce the adverse effects. Material and methods: A prospective observational randomized hospital based clinical study was performed on 299 pregnant women with haemoglobin ≥ 10gm/dl and divided into three groups. One group received 100mg elementary iron daily, second group same dose but in alternate day and other received 200 mg elementary iron twice weekly. Blood ferritin concentration was measured at 28-32 weeks and was compared across the three study groups and also compared with the birth weight of their babies within a group. Result: There was significant increased concentration of blood ferritin level and this increased ferritin level were significantly associated with higher rates of intrauterine growth restricted baby in pregnant mothers receiving daily iron supplementation. Among the reduced and modified dose of iron supplementation alternate day 100 mg elementary iron prophylaxis strategy is much more subject friendly. Conclusion: The rationale of routine iron supplementation in non-anemic pregnant women needs to be re-examined.

Keywords: Iron prophylaxis, intrauterine growth restriction, Ferritin, Non-anaemic pregnant mother.