Iron status of pregnant Filipino women as measured by serum ferritin.

Iron status of pregnant women at different stages of pregnancy was evaluated by comparing values for hemoglobin (Hb), red cell indices, serum iron (SI), transferrin saturation (TS) and serum ferritin (SF) values with those of a group of non-pregnant women of comparable age and socio-economic status. Mean SF values on the second and third trimesters (9.3 +/- 2.60 ng/ml and 7.1 +/- 2.19 ng/ml) were significantly lower compared to that in the first trimester (22.6 +/- 2.20 ng/ml). These levels were also lower than that found in the non-pregnant controls. The trend was the same for TS. Hemoglobin levels of the pregnant subjects were significantly lower than those of the non-pregnant women. Prevalence of iron deficiency based on SF < 12.0 ng/ml and TS < 16.0% was highest at term and lowest during the first trimester indicating a decrease in iron stores as pregnancy progressed. Sensitivity for each of the iron parameters was computed, and it was found that for the diagnosis of iron deficiency in pregnant women, SF has a greater sensitivity than TS, SI, MCV and MCH.

Riboflavin requirement of Filipino women.

The level of riboflavin intake that will correct riboflavin deficiency in seven non-pregnant and in twelve pregnant Filipino women was determined in order to reassess the adequacy of the current Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for riboflavin in Filipinos. Increasing levels of riboflavin were given to the subjects who were rated as riboflavin-deficient based on an initial erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficient (EGR-AC) of greater than or equal to 1.3 in screening. The minimum riboflavin requirement, defined as the intake of riboflavin required to achieve an EGR-AC of less than 1.3, was estimated from the regression of EGR-AC on riboflavin intake (mg/1000 kcal). The estimates of minimum riboflavin requirement from the non-pregnant women ranged from 0.16 to 0.42 with a mean of 0.35 +/- 0.09 (SD) mg/1000 kcal. For the pregnant subjects, the estimates of minimum riboflavin requirement ranged from 0.36 to 0.81 with a mean of 0.58 +/- 0.18 (SD) mg/1000 kcal. Adding 30% to the mean, to cover the upper limits of 97.5% of the population, the estimated RDA for non-pregnant women is 0.46/1000 kcal. This value is approximately equal to the 1976 Philippine RDA of 0.5 mg riboflavin/1000 kcal. For pregnant women, adding 30% to the mean minimum requirement of 0.58 mg/1000 kcal, the estimated RDA is 0.75 mg/1000 kcal or 1.75 mg/day computed at the energy allowance of 2350 kcal during pregnancy. This value is 25% higher than the current Philippine RDA of 1.4 mg/day for pregnant women.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Menstrual blood loss and iron nutrition in Filipino women.

Menstrual blood loss was measured in 80 apparently healthy women aged 15-44 years. The study showed a median menstrual blood loss of 37.1 ml per period and the range was from 5.4-169.0 ml. With an average menstrual cycle of 29 days and a mean hemoglobin content of 12.8 g/dl the average iron loss was estimated to be about 0.55 mg/day. The simultaneous effects of menstrual iron loss and dietary iron intake on the iron status of menstruating women were examined using multiple regression analysis. The parameters used to measure iron status were serum iron, transferrin saturation index (TSI), hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). Among these parameters, TSI was found to be the most sensitive indicator of changes in factors affecting iron balance moreover, it was found that with greater menstrual loss and decreasing iron intake, there was a marked fall in TSI. However, the decline of TSI did not reach a level at which deficiency of iron transport would have occurred. These results suggest that iron intake was enough to replenish the iron lost in menstruation. Results of statistical analysis showed that the upper limit of menstrual blood loss should be about 80 ml per period. Any loss above this level for continuously long period of time may lead to anemia. This condition is further aggravated by insufficient iron intake. The data from this study are useful in estimating the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for iron for menstruating Filipino women. They will also serve as a basis of management of patients in medical practice in terms of evaluating risk of and treatment of iron-deficiency anemia.

Assessment of iron status of Filipino pregnant women.

Plasma ferritin (PF), erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP) and hemoglobin (Hb) were used to assess the iron status of 158 Filipino pregnant women included as subjects in the third national nutrition survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute in 1987. The prevalence of iron depletion was 39.9% based on PF (less than 12 ng/ml). Iron deficient erythropoiesis was present in 36.1% based on EP of greater than 28 micrograms/dl whole blood and 40.5% based on EP/Hb ratio of greater than 2.4. When the criterion of iron deficiency was that both PF and EP were abnormal, the prevalence of deficiency was lower and only 16.4%. Iron deficiency anemia was present in 14.6% based on Hb less than 11 g/dl in addition to abnormal PF and EP. Significantly lower mean values for PF were obtained in women on the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy indicating decreasing iron stores and the need for iron therapy to prevent anemia during those periods. The iron status of 38 women who reported taking iron supplements was not significantly different from those who did not take supplements.