Serum ferritin and iron stores during pregnancy.

The iron status of two groups of pregnant women was investigated. One group did not receive iron (group B), the other erceived 100 mg iron/day (group A). 1. In all individuals concentrations of hemoglobin, serum iron, transferrin and serum ferritin were determined at regular intervals from the third month until delivery and at 3 months after delivery. The same determinations were performed in cord blood. 2. Changes in iron status appeared to be less in individuals with iron supplement than in those without iron supplement. A fall in Hb, serum iron and serum ferritin is observed in all individuals. 3. Three months after delivery the Hb concentration has generally returned to the normal female value, but the serum ferritin concentration is still very low. 4. The fetus does not discriminate as to the iron status of the mother. In both groups (A and B) cord blood values appeard to be not significantly different.