Moderate NaFeEDTA supplementation improves both hematologic status and oxidative stress in anemic pregnant women

Abstract

Iron is not only an important nutrient and indicator for anemia, but also a cofactor of many enzymes in antioxidant process. We evaluated the effect of sodium iron EDTA (NaFeEDTA) and ferrous sulfate on iron bioavailability and oxidative stress in anemic pregnant women. In this randomized controlled trial, 153 anemic pregnant women, with 80¡Ý Hb <110 g/L, were randomly allocated to three groups (n=51/group): group C (placebo control), group I (supplemented daily with 60 mg iron as ferrous sulfate, and group IE (daily60 mg iron as NaFeEDTA). After 2‐mo supplementation, the changes in placebo group were −3.64 g/L in Hb, −1.23 ¦Ìmol/L in plasma iron, and −1.59 ¦Ìg/L in ferritin compared with their baselines. Compared with the C group, significant increases were 20.54 and 21.84 g/L for Hb; 4.81 and 7.19 ¦Ìmol/L for plasma iron; 2.63 and 8.99 ¦Ìg/L for ferritin; and 32.60 and 75.31 IU/ml in GSH‐Px activities; MDA levels decreased by 0.702 and 1.115 ¦Ìmol/L in I and IE groups, respectively. Moreover, differences of plasma iron, ferritin and GSH‐Px activity were 2.38 ¦Ìmol/L, 6.63 ¦Ìg/L and 42.71 IU/ml, which was significantly greater in IE than in I group. In conclusion, iron deficiency among pregnant women untreated in the middle trimester of pregnancy might deteriorate in the third trimester; NaFeEDTA has a greater efficacy compared with ferrous sulfate. Supported by Danone Nutrition Institute China.