Anemia of pregnancy treated with molybdenum-iron complex

Abstract

The hematocrit determination is an easy, rapid, and accurate method of determining which patients have anemia. It is more accurate than the hemoglobin concentration as it is usually determined. Pregnant patients should have a hematocrit determination every three months, one at or near term, and one also at six weeks post partum. A hemoglobin which is less than 12 Gm. (hematocrit 37 per cent) in the first twelve weeks or which is not 12 Gm. or more six weeks post partum is indicative of anemia. From the twelfth to the thirty-sixth week the lower limit of the hemoglobin in pregnancy is 10 Gm. (hematocrit 30 per cent) per 100 ml. The lower limit from 36 weeks to term is 10.5 Gm. (hematocrit 32 per cent) per cent.A molybdenum-iron complex has been found to be very effective in causing significant increases in the hemoglobin concentration of most patients with anemia of pregnancy within a three-week period. If the hemoglobin does not show a significant increase in this period of time, further hematologic studies are indicated.