Effect of iron folic acid in combination with or without acsorbic acid on hematological and biochemical parameters in pregnant women

Background: Iron deficiency anemia is major public health problem especially in pregnant women. Addition of Ascorbic acid may improve the effects of iron folic acid supplementation. The present study aimed at assessing the effect of supplementation of iron folic acid with and without ascorbic acid on hematological parameters of pregnant women. Methods: This case-control study was conducted at Mahila Chikitsalaya, SMS Medical College Hospital, Jaipur. Two hundred pregnant women in the age group of 18-40 years were selected and divided into control (n=100) and experimental group (n=100) randomly. General profile of the subjects was elicited using a pre coded pre tested questionnaire. Women in control group were supplemented with Iron Folic Acid (IFA) and experimental group with IFA+Vitamin C 500mg (Ceilen tablet) for two months. Hematological and biochemical parameters were analyzed at baseline and after the supplementation period of two months. Results: Average age of the subjects in control and experimental groups was 24.18±3.77 and 23.23±2.96 years respectively. Post intervention change in experimental Vs Control group was observed-Hb 18.04% Vs 5.49%, HCT 3.90% Vs 1.89%, MCV 1.97% Vs 0.88%, MCH 6.56% Vs 1.85%, RBC 5.39% Vs 3.68%, Trasnferrin Saturation 12.44% Vs 7.0%, Serum Iron 6.92% Vs 2.70% and TIBC -4.84% Vs 3.67% respectively. Conclusions: Subjects in experimental group showed significantly higher change in hematological parameters compared to control group.