Efficacy and tolerability of low-dose iron supplements during pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial

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dc.contributor.authorMakrides, M.
dc.contributor.authorCrowther, C.
dc.contributor.authorGibson, R.
dc.contributor.authorGibson, R.
dc.contributor.authorSkeaff, C.
dc.date.issued2003
dc.description© 2003 American Society for Clinical Nutrition
dc.description.abstractBackground: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is common in pregnant women, but previous trials aimed at preventing IDA used high-dose iron supplements that are known to cause gastrointestinal side effects. Objective: The objective was to assess the effect on maternal IDA and iron deficiency (ID, without anemia) of supplementing pregnant women with a low dosage (20 mg/d) of iron. Effects on iron status were assessed at the time of delivery and at 6 mo postpartum. Gastrointestinal side effects were assessed at 24 and 36 wk of gestation. Design: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a 20-mg daily iron supplement (ferrous sulfate) given from 20 wk of gestation until delivery. Results: A total of 430 women were enrolled, and 386 (89.7%) completed the follow-up to 6 mo postpartum. At delivery, fewer women from the iron-supplemented group than from the placebo group had IDA [6/198, or 3%, compared with 20/185, or 11%; relative risk (RR): 0.28; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.68; P < 0.005], and fewer women from the iron-supplemented group had ID (65/186, or 35%, compared with 102/176, or 58%; RR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.48, 0.76; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in gastrointestinal side effects between groups. At 6 mo postpartum, fewer women from the iron-supplemented group had ID (31/190, or 16%, compared with 51/177, or 29%; RR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.38, 0.84; P < 0.005). The rate of IDA between the groups did not differ significantly at 6 mo postpartum. Conclusion: Supplementing the diet of women with 20 mg Fe/d from week 20 of pregnancy until delivery is an effective strategy for preventing IDA and ID without side effects.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityMaria Makrides, Caroline A Crowther, Robert A Gibson, Rosalind S Gibson and C Murray Skeaff
dc.identifier.citationAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2003; 78(1):145-153
dc.identifier.doi10.1093/ajcn/78.1.145
dc.identifier.issn0002-9165
dc.identifier.issn1938-3207
dc.identifier.orcidMakrides, M. [0000-0003-3832-541X]
dc.identifier.orcidCrowther, C. [0000-0002-9079-4451]
dc.identifier.orcidGibson, R. [0000-0002-8750-525X]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/7907
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherAmer Soc Clinical Nutrition
dc.source.urihttp://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/78/1/145
dc.subjectIron
dc.subjectpregnancy
dc.subjectiron deficiency
dc.subjectrandomized controlled trial
dc.titleEfficacy and tolerability of low-dose iron supplements during pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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