Reference intervals for haematological variables during normal pregnancy and postpartum in 434 healthy Danish women.

Aim: To report reference intervals for haematological variables during normal pregnancy and postpartum.

Material And Methods: The series comprised 434 healthy ethnic Danish women with a normal pregnancy > or =37 wk duration and a normal delivery with newborns weight >2500 g. Blood samples were obtained at 18, 32 and 39 wk gestation and at 8 wk postpartum.

Body iron and individual iron prophylaxis in pregnancy--should the iron dose be adjusted according to serum ferritin?

This study aims to evaluate iron prophylaxis in pregnant women from the individual aspect, i.e. according to serum ferritin levels at the beginning of pregnancy, and to assess which dose of iron would be adequate to prevent iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) during pregnancy and postpartum.

Cobalamin status during normal pregnancy and postpartum: a longitudinal study comprising 406 Danish women.

Objectives: To assess cobalamin (vitamin B(12)) status during normal pregnancy and postpartum in a longitudinal setting.

Methods: This study was performed in 1995-1996. It comprised 406 healthy, pregnant Danish Caucasian women, living in Copenhagen County.

Side effects of oral iron prophylaxis in pregnancy--myth or reality?

Background: It is a common belief among women that iron compounds have unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects.

Objective: To assess the gastrointestinal side effects of iron prophylaxis in pregnancy.

Methods: A randomized, double-blind study comprising 404 healthy pregnant women allocated to four groups taking ferrous iron supplement (as fumarate) in doses of 20 (n = 99), 40 (n = 100), 60 (n = 102) and 80 mg (n = 103) daily from 18 weeks of gestation to delivery.

Erythrocyte folate, plasma folate and plasma homocysteine during normal pregnancy and postpartum: a longitudinal study comprising 404 Danish women.

Objective: To assess folate and homocysteine status during normal pregnancy and postpartum in a longitudinal setting.

Methods: This study, performed in 1995-1996, comprised 404 healthy pregnant Danish Caucasian women residential in Copenhagen County. Women taking folic acid tablets or vitamin B12 injections were not included.

Iron prophylaxis during pregnancy -- how much iron is needed? A randomized dose- response study of 20-80 mg ferrous iron daily in pregnant women.

Objective: To determine the lowest dose of iron preventative of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy.

Methods: A randomized, double-blind intention-to-treat study comprising 427 healthy pregnant women allocated into four groups taking ferrous iron (as fumarate) in doses of 20 mg (n = 105), 40 mg (n = 108), 60 mg (n = 106), and 80 mg (n = 108) from 18 weeks of gestation. Iron status markers [hemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin, and serum soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR)] were measured at 18 weeks (inclusion), 32 weeks, and 39 weeks of gestation and 8 weeks postpartum.