METHODS Non-pregnant women from a rural town and its surrounding region were tested for anemia. During phase 1 (n = 181), anemic women received a written recommendation for low-cost purchase of iron pills at the nearest health center. They were subsequently interviewed on their actions and experiences. RESULTS Estimated anemia prevalence among these non-pregnant women was 50% higher than the ...

Adequate amounts of nutrients during pregnancy are essential for maternal, fetal and child health. This study was conducted to investigate the intakes of iron and folate and the effect of supplements on anemia status during pregnancy. One hundred sixty five pregnant women completed questionnaires which included food frequencies and supplement use, and blood tests for hematologic indices. Pregna...

BACKGROUND Maternal micronutrient deficiencies are widespread in Pakistan and are potentially associated with maternal undernutrition and intrauterine growth retardation. Intervention strategies largely consist of administration of iron-folic acid supplements during pregnancy. OBJECTIVE We evaluated the acceptability of multiple micronutrient supplementation and its potential benefits on preg...

Vitamin and mineral supplementation is often prescribed by physicians to meet the additional nutrient requirements of pregnancy. In order to partially ascertain the effectiveness of these prenatal supplements, the retention of calcium and iron was determined in pregnant women consuming supplemented or unsupplemented self-selected diets. The retention of phosphorus and magnesium, minerals not in...

Micronutrient fortified flour (MFF), supplementary food rations and micronutrient (MN) supplements may prevent deficiencies among pregnant women. Objectives of cross-sectional surveys in 2004 (n = 533) and 2006 (n = 515) were to assess the impact of new food rations (flour, oil) and supplements on MN status by trimester of pregnancy in the Maela refugee camp. Hemoglobin, iron status, zinc, reti...

The aim of the present paper was to describe food and nutrient intake among 12-month-old Norwegian-Somali and Norwegian-Iraqi infants, with a focus on iron and vitamin D intake. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from August 2013 through September 2014. Eighty-nine mothers/infants of Somali origin and 77 mothers/infants of Iraqi origin residing in Eastern Norway participated in the study. D...

Iron and zinc may interact in micronutrient supplements and thereby decrease efficacy. We investigated interactive effects of combined zinc and iron supplementation in a randomized controlled trial conducted in 459 Guatemalan women. Four groups were supplemented for 12 weeks: (1) weekly iron and folic acid (IFA); (2) weekly IFA and 30 mg zinc; (3) daily IFA; (4) daily IFA and 15 mg zinc. Effect...

Eighty one pregnant women (20 +/- 2 weeks of gestation) were assessed for their nutritional status. They were divided into three groups; Group I women (n = 30) were given 200 mg ferrous sulphate (FeSO4) tablet per day for 15 weeks, Group II women (n = 25) were given FeSO4 tablets along with 2,000,000 IU of vitamin A as single dose in beginning of study; and Group III women (n = 26) were not giv...