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  • Title: Combined iron and zinc supplementation improves haematologic status of pregnant women in Upper West Region of Ghana.
    Author: Saaka M.
    Journal: Ghana Med J; 2012 Dec; 46(4):225-33. PubMed ID: 23661841.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Though pregnant women in Ghana routinely receive iron and folic acid supplements, the prevalence of anaemia continues to be as high as 70%. OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of zinc deficiency on iron status indicators in pregnant women. DESIGN: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) of joint iron and zinc supplementation. SETTING: The study was conducted in the Upper West Region of Ghana, where the prevalence of anaemia is high. PARTICIPANTS: The study population comprised pregnant women who presented themselves for antenatal care (ANC) in the Wa Regional Hospital of the Upper West Region in Ghana. INTERVENTIONS: The intervention group received a combined supplement of 40 mg zinc as zinc gluconate and 40 mg iron as ferrous sulphate. The control group received 40 mg elemental iron as ferrous sulphate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measures were mean and percentage changes in Hb. Serum ferritin and zinc concentrations serve as secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Adjusted mean Hb increase was 0.6g/dl higher among women who were not iron replete (SF ferritin ≤ 20 µg/L) and received the iron-zinc supplement, compared to women who received iron-only supplement, F (1, 99) = 4.356, p = 0.039. Women who had low plasma zinc levels were 3-fold increased odds of developing iron deficiency at recruitment, (OR 3.41, 95% CI: 1.19-9.76). CONCLUSIONS: Iron-zinc supplementation was effective in raising Hb and serum ferritin values among women who were iron deficient in early pregnancy but not among iron sufficient women.
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