Prevalence of iron deficiency in the first trimester in nonanemic pregnant women at Tanta delta of Egypt

Abstract

Background Throughout gestation, iron requirements increase significantly to support a growing red cell volume, a developing fetus, and a developing placenta, and also any predicted or unplanned blood loss after birth, especially with cesarean delivery. Aim The scope of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of iron deficiency in the first trimester, in nonanemic pregnant women, and its relation to the outcome of pregnancy. Patients and methods This study was conducted on 100 pregnant women in the first trimester attending the Obstetric Department at Tanta University Hospital duration of research from October 2019 to October 2020, 4 ml of venous blood sample was collected, 2 ml was collected on EDTA vacutainers for complete blood picture, the other 2 ml was collected on plain tube for estimation of maternal serum iron, ferritin, centrifugated at high speed of 2000 rpm, and serum was stored at −20°C until analysis. Results This study was done on 100 cases to evaluate the frequency of iron deficiency in the first trimester, in nonanemic pregnant women and its relation on pregnancy. Conclusion Iron deficiency in gestation is indeed a common problem, according to this study, and it is largely linked to greater maternal per-partum morbidity. Pregnant women should really be encouraged to begin antenatal care as soon as possible, so that their hematological status can be adequately optimized through regular oral iron intake and/or parenteral iron supplementation ahead to labor and delivery, avoiding any need for blood transfusion.