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 time of initiation and dose of prenatal iron and folic acid supplementation on iron and folate nutriture of Korean women during pregnancy.
BACKGROUND In Korea , it is customary to prescribe iron and folic acid supplements to pregnant women after the 20th wk of gestation ; however , little evidence exists to support this practice . OBJECTIVE The objective was to determine the effects of time of initiation and dose of prenatal iron and folic acid supplementation on the iron and folate nutriture of Korean women during pregnancy . DESIGN A total of 131 pregnant women were placed into 1 of 5 experimental groups , either the control group or 1 of 4 supplemented groups . The supplemented groups varied by time of initiation , which was either during the first trimester or at week 20 of gestation , and by dose of iron and folic acid supplements provided , which consisted of either 30 mg Fe plus 175 microg folic acid or 60 mg Fe plus 350 microg folic acid . All supplemented groups continued supplementation until delivery . RESULTS Improvements in iron and folate nutriture were highly dependent on when the supplement program was initiated , but both supplement doses were equally effective . In contrast , the influence of folic acid supplementation on maternal folate status was not as pronounced as was the influence of iron supplementation on iron status . CONCLUSION In pregnant Korean women , initiating iron and folic acid supplementation earlier during pregnancy may prevent the deterioration of iron and folate nutriture more than does increasing supplement doses in later stages of pregnancy
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 .