Effect of Routine Antenatal Daily Iron Supplementation on Fetal Weight

Abstract

Background: To study the effect of routine antenatal daily iron supplementation on fetal weight. Methods: In this randomized control trial thirty two adult female and ten adult male Sprague- Dawley rats (weighing 200-250 gm) were taken. They were distributed randomly into two equal study groups. Ferrous sulphate was administered orally at 0 and 10mg/kg/day starting from gestation day (GD) 1, and half of the animals were sacrificed on GD 17 and half were sacrificed on GD 20. Five millilitre of maternal blood was taken through intracardiac route for measurement of blood haemoglobin and serum ferritin level. Maternal body weight was recorded at the start and then at the end of the experiment. Fetal weight was also recorded. Results: The results were assessed on gestational day 17 and 20. There was no significant change in the maternal weight gain and number viability of fetuses of control and experimental groups. There was an increase in the mean fetal weight, maternal haemoglobin and maternal ferritin in iron replete rats as compared to non-iron supplemented (control) rats. Conclusion: Antenatal daily iron supplementation is effective in improving fetal weight.