Serum ferritin estimation in the assessment of iron stores in severe iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy and the response to treatment.

Serum ferritin estimation was used to determine the iron stores in 55 patients with severe iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy. The response to oral or intravenous iron therapy was monitored in 18 of these patients. The results in all cases indicated deficient iron stores. Replenishment of iron stores was significantly greater in those patients treated with parenteral iron. This may be the treatment of choice for severe iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy.