Once a week (200 mg) elemental iron: an effective option for prophylaxis in non-anaemic pregnant women.

To evaluate effectiveness of 200 mg elemental iron once per week for prophylaxis in non-anaemic pregnant women, a prospective longitudinal study with observational design was carried out at a tertiary care teaching hospital. Fifty pregnant women received daily (group 1) and 50 pregnant women received weekly (group II) oral therapy (100 mg elemental iron, 1.5 mg folic acid and 15 microg of vitamin B12). Haemoglobin, PCV estimation were carried out during follow-up periods at 4, 8 and 14 weeks. Iron profile (serum iron, TIBC, serum ferritin) estimation was done before and after 14 weeks of iron supplementation. Haemoglobin, PCV and serum iron increased significantly in both the groups (p < 0.001) but on intergroup comparison it was significantly higher in group I than group II (p < 0.001). Serum ferritin improved in both the groups but improvement was not significant in weekly supplemented group. Compliance was better and side-effects were less in group II as compared to group I (11.36% versus 39.9%) The supplementation of pregnant women once per week with 200 mg of elemental iron is an effective option for prophylaxis in mild anaemic or non-anaemic pregnant women.