Association of Some Indices of Iron Status with Gestational Periods of Pregnancy in Nigerian Pregnant Women.

Abstract

Background: Maternal iron status during pregnancy is vital to the health of the mother and the foetus. Iron deficiency is common in our setting but there is no consensus as to when the deficiency reaches the peak during pregnancy.

Objective: To evaluate some indices of iron status in both pregnant and non-pregnant women and to correlate their levels with gestational periods of pregnancy.

Materials and Methods: Some indices of iron status such as total iron, haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), total iron binding (TIBC) and percent transferrin were evaluated in 100 pregnant women and 50 non-pregnant women of similar age group. The pregnant women were divided into three groups depending on the duration of pregnancy: first trimester, second trimester and third trimester. Serum total iron, TIBC and percent transferrin saturation were evaluated using colorimetric technique while full blood count was done using automated haematology analyzer.

Results: Statistically significant decreases were observed in serum iron (P=0.05), TIBC (p=0.002), percent transferrin saturation (p=0.05), Hb (p=0.005), Hct (p=0.014), red blood cell (p<0.001), MCV (p=0.029), MCH (p=0.007) and MCHC(p=0.003) when compared with values in non-pregnant women. There were gradual decreases in serum iron, TIBC, Hb and Hct as pregnancy progresses from 1st trimester to 2nd trimester and 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Pregnant women in their 3rd trimester had the lowest levels of study indices of iron status apart from percent transferrin saturation which value was highest in the third trimester of pregnancy. Serum iron concentrations correlated negatively (r=-0.068; p=0.044) with gestational period while TIBC (r=0.089;p=0.041) and percent transferrin saturation (r=0.047;p=0.036) correlated positively with gestation periods of pregnancy.

Conclusion: The measured indices of iron status were significantly lower in pregnant women compared to non-pregnant women. Iron status correlates with gestational periodsof pregnancy. Evaluation of iron status should be routinely conducted in pregnant women to avoid complications associated with iron deficiency.

Keywords: Anaemia, pregnancy, total iron and total iron binding capacity.