Iron Supplements versus Placebo during Pregnancy: Its Effects on Iron and Folate Status on Mothers and Newborns

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Abstract
Fe and folate status of 203 pregnant women were evaluated at 6 mo. gestation and on the same women and their newborn infants at delivery. The women who had, at 6 mo. gestation, a Hb level < 11 g/dl were systematically given Fe supplements. Fe or placebo were randomly allocated to the other women. At 6 mo. of pregnancy, 1/4 of the women had a Hb level < 11 g/dl but 1/3 had a serum ferritin level < 12 .mu.g/l and > 1/2 had low levels of serum and red cell folate. Fe supplements induced an increase both in Hb levels and in serum ferritin values; however, no significant differences were observed in serum ferritin of the newborn infants, whether their mothers had received Fe supplements or not. The value of ferritin levels at birth as an index of Fe stores in the infant was reconsidered. Iron supplements had no effect on the folate status in mothers or infants or on the frequency of obstetrical complications. A significant relationship was found between maternal folate levels and length of gestation. Folate supplementation may reduce the incidence of premature delivery.