[Iron therapy and hemoglobin regeneration in pregnancy anemias and postpartum anemias (author's transl)].

The influence of oral doses of iron on the hemoglobin regeneration of pregnancy anemias and postpartum anemias was examined. The examinations were carried out in 45 pregnant women and in 70 puerperae. Other hematologic parameters besides hemoglobin were determined before, and 4 and 6 weeks during treatment with 110 mg iron sulfate daily. In pregnancy anemias, hemoglobin regeneration took place at a much slower rate under the iron therapy than was the case in postpartum anemias. Postpartum anemias of medium severity require for elevating the hemoglobin values to 12.0 g% at iron absorption rate of 22%, a treatment period of 35 days with a total amount of 3.8 g ferrous sulfate. In milder forms of anemia iron absorption diminished to 15% as hemoglobin conditions improved. An iron treatment course of 6 weeks will not be sufficient to cover the maternal iron deficiency during pregnancy and lyingin. To achieve optimum iron compensation, the daily supply of 100 mg iron will be necessary during pregnancy from the 16th week until delivery. In mild to medium anemias, postpartum iron treatment of 10 to 18 weeks' duration will be necessary until the exhausted iron deposits have been replenished.