Hemoglobin level after ingestion of repeated dose of iron shortly after and 2 hours after meal for 12 weeks in second & third trimester pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia

The aim of the study was to assess the hemoglobin level after ingestion of repeated dose of iron shortly after and 2 hours after a meal for 12 weeks in second and third-trimester pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia. The research design was a quasi-experimental. Subjects were 24 second trimester and 24 third trimester pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia. 24 were given treatment 1and two respectively. Intervention: Ferrous sulfate tablet @ 300 mg, twice daily, shortly after a meal, for 12 weeks (treatment 1). Ferrous sulfate tablet @ 300 mg, twice daily, given 2 hours after a meal, for 12 weeks (treatment 2). Outcome measures: Hemoglobin. In pregnant women in their second trimester, after intervention 1, the average of hemoglobin level increased significantly from 9.75 g/dl to 11.43 g/dl and these values were maintained until eight weeks of iron tablet supplementation. The difference in the increase in hemoglobin level after intervention 1 was not statistically significant compared to intervention 2. Iron tablet supplementation taken after a meal for 12 weeks in pregnant women in their third trimester could increase the average hemoglobin level significantly, from 9.68 g/dl (±0.26) to 13.52 g/dl (±0.43). There were no differences in the average of the increase in hemoglobin level after repeated-dose of their on tablet for 12 weeks taken shortly after a meal and 2 hours after a meal in pregnant women in their second and third trimester. Even though it was not statistically different, the average of the increase in hemoglobin level was higher in pregnant women in their third trimester compared to that of pregnant women in their second trimester.