A randomised placebo-controlled trial to determine the effect of iron supplementation on pregnancy outcome in pregnant women with haemoglobin > or = 13.2 g/dl.

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of iron supplementation on pregnancy outcome in pregnant women with haemoglobin (Hb) > or = 13.2 g/dl.

DESIGN

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

SETTING

Routine health services.

POPULATION

Seven hundred and twenty-seven pregnant women with Hb > or = 13.2 g/dl in the early stage of the second trimester.

METHODS

Each woman took one ferrous sulphate [DOSAGE ERROR CORRECTED] tablet (150 g tablet, containing 50 mg of elemental iron) [DOSAGE ERROR CORRECTED] daily in the case group (n = 370) or placebo in the control group (n = 357) throughout pregnancy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Pregnancy outcome.

RESULTS

While there were no significant differences in demographic and obstetric characteristics between the two groups before any intervention, small-for-gestational-age birth rate and the number of women with hypertension disorder increased significantly in the case group in comparison with the control group (57 [15.7%] versus 36 [10.3%], P = 0.035, 10 [2.7%] versus 3 [8%], P = 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Our finding proves that routine iron supplementation in nonanaemic women is not rational and may be harmful.