Effects of Oral Iron on Oxidative Stress in Anaemia in Pregnancy

Iron deficiency is considered as frequently observed single dietary nutrient deficiency through out the world, predominantly during pregnancy .According to WHO almost half of the pregnancies in developing countries are affected with iron deficiency and ultimately leads to iron deficiency anaemia. This figure increases up to 80% for South Asian countries. In Pakistan iron deficiency anaemia is still a major nutritional and public health problem.In pregnancy not only iron but also other minerals, vitamins and essential nutrients are required in increased quantity. Clinically a rapid rise in body iron is the main target in the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia.Most common practice is oral iron supplementation along with diet improvement.Pregnancy is a state of oxidative stress.Iron supplements can result in increased oxidative stress.The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti oxidative status in terms of SOD & GSH-Px level in anemic pregnant women, alteration in enzyme activity after treatment and hematological changes with different regimens of oral iron.