Investigating Iron Deficiency in Non-Anemic Pregnant Women During the Second Trimester

Abstract

Iron deficiency is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency worldwide ,affecting populations in both developing and developed .despite the absence of anemia, pregnant women may still experience depleted iron stores, which can have significant health implication for both mother and fetus This study aimed to assess the prevalence of iron deficiency among non-anemic pregnant women in their second trimester by analyzing serum ferritin concentrations and identifying related clinical and demographic factors. This cross-sectional study included 246 non-anemic pregnant women at 24-28 weeks’ gestation visiting Baqiatallah Hospital in Tehran for routine diabetes screening in 2022. Blood samples were analyzed for complete blood count, ferritin, iron, and total iron binding capacity. Demographic data and supplement use were recorded. Participants were divided into low ferritin (<30 ng/mL) and normal ferritin (≥30 ng/mL) groups. Demographic characteristics, clinical parameters, and laboratory findings were compared between these two groups using Student's t-test, Mann- Whitney U, and Chi-square tests, Mann-Whitney U, and Chi square tests. Of the participants, 64.4% had low ferritin levels despite 94.3% reporting regular iron supplement use. There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics or supplement use between low and normal ferritin groups (P>0.05). Women with low ferritin had significantly lower platelet counts (213.1±43.4 vs 231.0±59.1 thousand/μL, P=0.04) and serum iron levels (97.5±41.9 vs 105.8±34.9 μg/dL, P=0.018) compared to those with normal ferritin. No significant differences were found in hemoglobin, hematocrit, or other red blood cell indices between groups (P>0.05). A high prevalence of iron deficiency was observed among non-anemic pregnant women despite regular supplement use. Current iron supplementation strategies may be inadequate in addressing iron deficiency during pregnancy. Regular monitoring of serum iron profiles is recommended to identify at-risk women and allow for timely interventions.