The use of ferritin to assess the need for iron supplements in pregnancy

Summary

Of women who developed a low haemoglobin concentration in pregnancy. 84 percent had a booking ferritin concentration below 50μg/l. Two groups of patients were studied; one group had iron and folate supplements withheld. Of the unsupplemcnted patients, 18·4 per cent became anaemic (haemoglobin < 10·5 g/dl). In the group given oral iron and folate. only 4·8 per cent developed anaemia. Ferritin levels in early pregnancy can be used to predict the need for iron supplements.