ABSTRACT
Prevention Iron supplementation is associated with prevention of low hemoglobin at term and at six weeks postpartum (6-8). There is no evidence, however, of significant reduction in significant perinatal outcomes such as low birth weight, preterm birth, or infection. Most of the RCTs provided very limited information about the clinical outcomes for women or their babies (6). Except in women with hemochromatosis or other genetic disorder, there is little evidence of morbidity associated with iron supplementation. The recommended daily allowance of ferrous iron during pregnancy is 27 mg, as present in most prenatal vitamins (1). Table 14.5 lists elemental iron content of available iron supplements.
