A Comparative Survey of Gastrointestinal Complications Caused by Iron Supplement and Placebo in Pregnant Women with Hb>13.2gr/dl

Numerous researches have shown that the consumption of ferrous sulfate pills in non-pregnant women causes gastrointestinal complications. Furthermore, pregnancy itself causes changes in gastrointestinal system and induces gastrointestinal disorders. The aim of this study was evaluation of ferrous sulfate side effects in pregnant women with Hb>13.2gr/dl. Patients and This research was a double-blind clinical trial which was carried out on 139 pregnant women with Hb>13.2gr/dl. 88 persons were placed in the case group and 51 in the control group. In the case group, individuals consumed one ferrous sulfate pill containing 50 mg iron, per day, from the 20th week to the end of pregnancy. The control group consumed one placebo tablet per day from the 20th week to the end of pregnancy. The side effects of iron and placebo were investigated in the 24th and 36th weeks of gestation. The results of this study revealed that there was no statistically significant difference in terms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, and abdominal cramp between the two groups in the 24th and 36th weeks of pregnancy. It seems that gastrointestinal complications in pregnancy relate more to pregnancy itself than ferrous sulfate side effects.