Efficacy of Oral Iron Supplementation in Anemic Pregnant Women with Normal and Abnormal Hemoglobin Typing

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of oral iron supplementation on the resolution of anemia and the improvement of hemoglobin (Hb) levels in anemic pregnant women with abnormal Hb typing results compared to those with normal Hb typing results.
Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted among pregnant women diagnosed with anemia (Hb < 11 g/dL in the first and third trimesters, or < 10.5 g/dL in the second trimester). Participants were classified according to Hb typing results (normal vs abnormal) and received additional oral iron supplementation exceeding the standard prenatal dosage. Routine antenatal blood tests were performed before and after supplementation.
Results: A total of 66 participants were enrolled (31 in the abnormal Hb typing group and 35 in the normal group). After exclusion, 57 participants remained for analysis, including 29 in the abnormal group and 28 in the normal group. Baseline characteristics did not differ significantly between groups. Among them, 8 participants (27.59%) in the abnormal group and 20 participants (71.43%) in the normal group achieved resolution of anemia (p = 0.01). In the abnormal group, the overall Hb level increased slightly, with a mean change of 0.49 g/dL versus 1.87 g/dL in the normal group which was significantly difference (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Additional oral iron supplementation did not significantly correct anemia in pregnant women with abnormal Hb typing who were most likely thalassemia carriers. However, a modest increase in Hb levels was observed. Further studies are warranted to determine the optimal regimen of iron supplementation to achieve greater improvements in Hb levels in this group of women.