Conclusion Applying the CHERG rules , we recommend a 73 % reduction in anemia at term with daily iron ( alone ) supplementation or iron/folate ( combined ) vs. no intervention or placebo ; for inclusion in the LiST model .
Introduction Iron deficiency is the most prevalent nutrient deficiency in the world , particularly during pregnancy .
According to the literature , anemia , particularly severe anemia , is associated with increased risk of maternal mortality .
It also puts mothers at risk of multiple perinatal complications .
Numerous studies in the past have evaluated the impact of supplementation with iron and iron-folate but data regarding the efficacy and quality of evidence of these interventions are lacking .
This article aims to address the impact of iron with and without folate supplementation on maternal anemia and provides outcome specific quality according to the Child Health Epidemiology Reference Group ( CHERG ) guidelines .
Weekly iron as a safe alternative to daily supplementation for nonanemic pregnant women.
BACKGROUND We undertook this study to compare the effectiveness and safety of antenatal daily and weekly supplementation with iron , folic acid , and vitamin B(12 ) in healthy , pregnant women who were not anemic at gestational week 20 . METHODS Women with singleton pregnancies and blood hemoglobin ( Hb ) > 115 g/L at gestational week 20 ( equivalent to 105 g/L at sea level ) were r and omly assigned to two groups , one consuming one tablet containing 60 mg iron , 200 mug folic acid and 1 mug vitamin B(12 ) daily ( DS , n = 56 ) ; the other consuming two tablets once weekly ( WS , n = 60 ) . Blood Hb and serum ferritin concentrations were measured every 4 weeks from weeks 20 to 36 , and pregnancy outcomes were evaluated . RESULTS Mild anemia and hypoferritinemia throughout pregnancy occurred less frequently in DS than WS . None of the 116 women had Hb concentrations < 103 g/L at any evaluation point . In contrast , hemoconcentration ( Hb > 145 g/L ) from gestational week 28 onwards occurred in 11 % in DS and 2 % in WS . We observed ex post facto that hemoconcentration at gestational week 28 was associated with a significantly higher relative risk of low birth weight ( RR 6.23 , 95 % CI 1.46 - 26.57 ) and premature delivery ( RR 7.78 , 95 % CI 1.45 - 24.74 ) . CONCLUSIONS In women who were nonanemic at gestational week 20 , both schemes ( DS and WS ) prevented the occurrence of Hb levels < 100 g/L. DS women had a higher incidence of hemoconcentration . Hemoconcentration was associated with increased risk of low birth weight and premature delivery
Conclusion Applying the CHERG rules , we recommend a 73 % reduction in anemia at term with daily iron ( alone ) supplementation or iron/folate ( combined ) vs. no intervention or placebo ; for inclusion in the LiST model .
Introduction Iron deficiency is the most prevalent nutrient deficiency in the world , particularly during pregnancy .
According to the literature , anemia , particularly severe anemia , is associated with increased risk of maternal mortality .
It also puts mothers at risk of multiple perinatal complications .
Numerous studies in the past have evaluated the impact of supplementation with iron and iron-folate but data regarding the efficacy and quality of evidence of these interventions are lacking .
This article aims to address the impact of iron with and without folate supplementation on maternal anemia and provides outcome specific quality according to the Child Health Epidemiology Reference Group ( CHERG ) guidelines .