Assessment of body iron stores in rural pregnant women

Abstract

A group of 184 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at Kangundo hospital, in Machakos District, had their blood samples taken for the estimation of the body iron stores at term. This was done by measuring serum iron and the total iron-binding capacity (TIBC).

Their haemoglobin concentration was also determined and blood films of those found anaemic were examined. The measurement of serum iron _and total iron-binding capacity (transferring) indicated t hat;the majority

of mothers in this group examined were iron-deficient at term (that is the serum iron: Total iron-binding capacity ratio was below 20%). There is a tendency for the Fe!JIBC percentage to decrease as parity increased. There was no significant difference between the women of parity 1 to t and the primigravidea but there was a significant difference between

the group of women with parity of 6 and above and the primigravidae

(p< 0.001), and also between the para 6 + and those of parity of 1

(p < 0.01). There is still need for giving supplementary iron to the rural pregnant mother.