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 .
W.H.O. sponsored collaborative studies on nutritional anaemia in India. 1. The effects of supplemental oral iron administration to pregnant women.
A W.H.O. sponsored collaborative study of the effects of iron supplementation to pregnant women was carried out in Delhi ( northern India ) and Vellore ( southern India ) . Supplementation was given under supervision from the 26th to the 36th or 38th week of pregnancy . A control group received only placebo ; one group received vitamin B12 and folic acid alone ; four groups received vitamin B12 , folate and a daily iron supplement ranging from 30 to 240 mg of elemental iron as ferrous fumerate , and one further group received 120 mg of iron without B12 or folate . Groups receiving no iron showed a fall in mean stet concentration . Those receiving iron showed a rise in haemoglobin , the best results being in the groups receiving 120 and 240 mg of iron together with vitamin B12 and folate . Even in these groups however there was still a high prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency at the end of the trial period . Iron alone did not produce as good results as iron plus vitamin B12 and folate . The supplementation had no detectable effect on the birth weight of the children , nor on the haemoglobin concentration of the infants at three months of age . The daily absorption of iron in the pregnant women , as judged from the increase in haemoglobin mass , was not as satisfactory as expected . Possible reasons for this are discussed . It is concluded that to provide these women with adequate iron a daily oral supplementation of 120 mg of elemental iron or more is needed . This can only be achieved by medicinal means . Before supplementation can be recommended on a public health scale , further information regarding the cost and expected benefits of such measures must be obtained
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 .