Original Articles
The iron status of parturient mothers and their new born babies
Authors:
I. M. R. Goonewardene ,
University of Ruhuna, Galle, LK
About I. M. R.
Senior Lecturer, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine
C. Liyanage
University of Ruhuna, Galle, LK
About C.
Senior Lecturer, Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine
Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate the iron status of women in labour. To evaluate the iron status in the neonates of these subjects. To study the correlation between the iron status of these subjects and in their new born babies.
Design: Cross sectional cohort study
Setting: University Obstetric Unit, Galle
Patients and Methods: The serum ferritin (SF) and haemoglobin(Hb) levels were estimated in 74 pregnant women in stage II of labour, and in the cord venous blood obtained at delivery.
Results: Of the women 29(39%) had Hb<llg/dL and 22(30%) had SF<12ng/mL. The mean cord venous Hb of 13.8g/dL (SD 2.7) was significantly higher (p<0.001) than the mean maternal Hb of ll.lg/dL(SD 2.7). The mean cord SF of 85.8ng/mL (SD 41.9) too was significantly higher (p<0.001) than the mean maternal SF of 22.2ng/ml(SD 16.1). Although there was no correlation between the maternal and cord venous Hb, the cord venous SF was positively correlated to the maternal SF (p<0.01).
Conclusion: Iron status was unsatisfactory in this group of parturient women. A positive correlation was seen between the iron stores of the mother and the baby. However the baby's Hb correlated poorly with the mother's Hb level.
How to Cite:
Goonewardene, I.M.R. and Liyanage, C., 1996. The iron status of parturient mothers and their new born babies. Ceylon Journal of Medical Science, 39(1), pp.35–39. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/cjms.v39i1.4906
Published on
27 Jun 1996.
Peer Reviewed
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