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pubmed:otherAbstract |
PIP: Hematological status of pregnant women from low and middle economic classes before and after similar hematinic therapy were compared. Subjects were 88 economically indigent and 88 middle-class women. Both groups came from the same ethnic background. Before treatment mean values for hemoglobin and nutrients were significantly lower in the poor pregnant women, except for serum folate which was similar. The only parasitic infestations found were whipworm (Trichuris trichiura) in 10% of the poor group and 2% of the middle-class group. Treatment of 40 poor and 33 middle-class patients was with oral doses of 130 mg of ferrous fumarate. The other 48 poor and 55 middle-class patients also received 2.5 mg of folic acid orally daily. At term, after treatment, there was still a statistically but lesser difference between the 2 groups, with the exception of serum iron. Total iron binding capacity was similar in both groups. The frequency of preeclampsia was 4% in the middle-class and 5% in the poor patients. At term, despite the iron dosage, anemia frequency and iron deficiency remained the same in both groups. Those taking folic acid improved so that the 2 classes were equal. Low serum folate levels for those of the middle class not taking folic acid were 25%. It is concluded that all pregnant women in this population should receive both iron and folic acid supplementation throughout pregnancy. For women with an iron deficiency at the beginning of pregnancy, 120 mg/day was not enough. There was the possibility of impaired iron absorption in these patients.
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