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 .
A prophylactic trial of iron and folic acid supplements in pregnant Burmese women.
Hemoglobin ( Hb ) concentration , serum iron level , iron binding capacity and blood folate ( Lactobacillus casei ) activity were determined in 310 unselected pregnant Burmese women .  Hb concentration was less than 11 g/dl in 72 % of the women ; the serum iron level was less than 50 mug/dl in 33 % ; serum folate activity was less than 3ng/ml in 13 % ; and red cell folate activity was less than 100 ng/ml in 17 % of the women . Ninety-six of the women in our study were r and omly divided into four groups , treated from the 22nd to the 25th week of pregnancy until full term with either ferrous sulfate containing 60 mg elemental iron twice daily , 5 mg folic acid twice daily , a combination of both , or a placebo only . At full term , Hb concentration fell in the groups given placebo or folic acid . On the other h and , in the groups given iron alone or iron plus folic acid there was an increase in Hb of 0.4 and 0.7 g/dl , respectively ( intergroup difference not statistically significant ) . Serum iron and blood folate levels fell in the groups not receiving the appropriate hematinic . In spite of deficient serum and red cell folate levels in 30 and 40 % , respectively , of the group on iron alone , the mean Hb concentration increased at full term and none of the women had a Hb concentration lower than 10 g/dl . Blood folate levels were lower in the iron-supplemented group than in the placebo group , indicating that iron deficiency does not aggravate the folate nutritional status
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 .