The effect of combined iron therapy (Chemiron) and single iron therapy on the dexamethasone-estriol reaction test for placenta insufficiency during normal pregnancy.

Impaired uteroplacental perfusion has been shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of some complicated pregnancies with placenta insufficiency. Apart from this, lower oestrogen, magnesium and zinc are found in many of these conditions in the third trimester with placenta insufficiency. In this study, we examined the effect of a 4 mg intravenous dexamethasone injection on estriol, since maternal cortisol or synthetic corticosteroids cross the placental barrier and inhibit the release of dehydroepiandrostesone sulfate in the fetal adrenals. Dexamathasone was found to suppress estriol levels in all groups but a significant difference in suppression was found between the Chemiron--a new combination hematinic--and the control single iron therapy groups. Our preliminary results showed that Chemiron has a protective effect on the development of placenta insufficiency during the third trimester of pregnancy.