Maternal and perinatal outcome in relation to hemoglobin concentration and serum ferritin examined between 16 and 20 weeks of gestation

Background: Anemia is a major health problem among women of reproductive age, particularly in developing countries. Our aim was to investigate the relation between hemoglobin concentration and serum ferritin and pregnancy outcome. Methods: In a prospective longitudinal study, 382 pregnant women attending University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland for antenatal care and delivery in the period 2004 to 2005 were included. Venous blood samples were examined for hematological status and serum ferritin between 16 and 20 weeks and for hemoglobin concentration before delivery. The adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes we…