Abstract:
To evaluate the iron status of
;\-omen in labour. To evaluate the iron stafus in
:he neonates of these subjects. To study the
:orreiation between the iron status of these
='rbjects and in their new bom babies.
Design: Cross sectional cohort study
Setting: University Obstetric Unit, Galle
Patients and Methods: The serum ferritin(SF)
-,: haemoglobin(Flb) -{ levels were estimated in eregnant women in stage II of labour, and in
::i,e cord venous blood obtained at delivery.
R.esults: Of the women2g(39%) had FIb<11gldL
z:'C 22(30%) had SF<12nglmL. The meanlord
;'erous Hb of t3.8g/dL (SD 2.7) was
-o:gnificantly higher (p<0.001) than the mean
:.aternal Hb of 11.1gldL(SD 2.2). The mean ::rd SF of 85.8ng/ml (SD 41.9) too was
:::nificantly higher (p<0.001) than the mean
:.aternal SF of 22.2nglml(SD 16.1). Although
::.ere was no correlation between the matemal
::.C cord venous Hb, the cord venous SF was
:,:sitively correlated to the matemal SF (p<0.01).
Cnnclusion: Iron status was unsatisfactory in
,-r--r group of parturient women. A positive
::::eiation was seen between the iron stores of
::e nother and the baby. However the baby,s
:-l: rorrelated poorly with the mother,s Hb
'l:a:--
