From the Midwifery and Nursing College, Ghazvin University of Medical Sciences, Ghazvin
Abstract: (5200 Views)
Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional problems in the
world, It is frequently found in both developed and developing countries and
mainly affects women of childbearing age. The aim of this study was to investigate
the relationship of iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women on neonatal
weight. The study subjects were a group of 241 women aged between 20
and 34 years who were divided to anemic (118 subjects as case) and nonanemic
(123 subjects as control) groups. Iron deficiency anemia was determined
by measurements of plasma ferritin, T.I.B.C., total iron, hemoglobin
and hematocrit, and subsequently the weight of the neonate was also determined.
Results showed that depleted iron stores in the anemic group has no
statistically significant effect on neonatal weight (t-test= 0.73, D,F.= 239,p>t=
0.4654).
Lower, depleted iron stores were observed in the anemic group with high
parity and decreased intervals of pregnancy. It is concluded that the occurrence
of iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women during the third trimester
has no relationship with neonatal weight, but according to some published
results this relationship exists during the first trimester.