The effect of iron supplementation on iron status markers in pregnant women with high hemoglobin

Excessive consumption of iron supplement during pregnancy may increase in Hb level and adverse pregnancy outcome. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of iron supplementation in pregnant women with high hemoglobin. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 83 healthy pregnant women who had a hemoglobin concentration more than 13.2 g/dL and a serum ferritin level higher than 15 μg/L between the 16th and 20th week of pregnancy took either one 50 mg tablet of ferrous sulfate daily or placebo during their pregnancies. Markers of iron status (Hb, ferritin) were measured at 37-39 weeks of pregnancy. The mean of maternal age and prepregnancy BMI were 26.11 ± 5.13 and 23.9 ± 2.32 kg/m2, respectively. After intervention, the mean levels of hemoglobin concentration were 12.05 ± 0.9 g/dL and 38.5 ± 9.3 µg/L in iron supplementation and 11.94 ± 0.65 g/dL in placebo groups and those of ferritin levels were and 27.22 ± 12.96, respectively. The differences were significant (p = 0.03) in both groups but the incidence of anemia did not show any differences. Not using iron supplementation did not increase the risk of anemia in women with hemoglobin concentration more than 13.2g/dL during pregnancy; thus, the intensive care and control of iron status markers are recommended for the groups without supplementation.