Serum ferritin as the most sensitive measure of iron stores in pregnant women.

To detect iron deficiency, Hb concentration, RBC count, PCV, MCV, MCHC, red cell morphology, serum iron and serum ferritin concentrations were measured in 80 pregnant women. Half of these women were with and the other half without iron supplementation. Fifty percent of the unsupplemented group had anaemia (Hb < 1 ig/dI) and 65% deficient iron stores (serum ferritin< 12ng/ml). Ten percent of the supplemented pregnant women were anaemicand 37.5% had deficient iron stores . The number of iron deficient pregnant women detected by serum ferritin measurement was much higher than those detected by other hematological parameters. Therefore, serum ferritin is more sensitive indicator of iron status during pregnancy than any other hematological parameter. The values of all the hematological parameters were significantly less in unsupplemented than in supplemented pregnant women (JPMA 38 :185, 1988).