Response of hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and serum transferrin receptor during iron supplementation in pregnancy: a prospective study.

Objective: We evaluated the effect of iron supplementation on biochemical indicators of iron status, namely hemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin (SF), and serum transferrin receptor (sTfR), during pregnancy.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted in 73 pregnant women who received daily supplements of 60 mg of iron and 500 microg of folic acid for 100 d from 19 wk of gestation. The indicators of iron status (Hb, SF, and sTfR) at 19, 27, and 35 wk of gestation were analyzed.