Iron and folate nutrition in a group of private obstetrical patients

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Abstract
In 12 unsupplemented, private obstetrical patients the mean red cell volume and hemoglobin mass were not optimally expanded at the 36th week of pregnancy, and were significantly lower than in 15 iron-supplemented private obstetrical patients. The data indicate that the dietary iron intake of private obstetrical patients is not sufficient to prevent a state of iron deficiency in the latter half of pregnancy. Iron supplementation in such patients is recommended. In 26 private patients the frequency of low serum and red cell folates at the 36th week of pregnancy was similar to that observed in private and public obstetrical patients studied previously. The data confirm that in a significant percentage of women who can afford a private obstetrician intake of folates from food is not sufficient to prevent mild folate deficiency in pregnancy.