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 .
Effect of iron supplementation on the iron status of pregnant women: consequences for newborns.
We studied the effect of iron supplementation on the iron status of mothers and on biochemical iron status and clinical and anthropometric measures in their infants . The subjects were 197 pregnant women selected at 28 wk + /- 21 d of gestation at a mother- and -child health center in Niamey , Niger . Ninety-nine women received 100 mg elemental Fe/d  throughout the remainder of their pregnancies and 98 received placebo . The prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency decreased markedly during the last trimester of pregnancy in the iron-supplemented group but remained constant in the placebo group . Three months after delivery , the prevalence of anemia was significantly higher in the placebo group . At delivery , there were no differences between the two groups in cord blood iron variables . Three months after delivery , serum ferritin concentrations were significantly higher in infants of women in the iron-supplemented group . Mean length and Apgar scores were significantly higher in infants with mothers in the iron group than in those with mothers in the placebo group
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 .