Impact of nutritional supplements on hematological profile of pregnant women.

Eighty one pregnant women (20 +/- 2 weeks of gestation) were assessed for their nutritional status. They were divided into three groups; Group I women (n = 30) were given 200 mg ferrous sulphate (FeSO4) tablet per day for 15 weeks, Group II women (n = 25) were given FeSO4 tablets along with 2,000,000 IU of vitamin A as single dose in beginning of study; and Group III women (n = 26) were not given any supplements and served as controls. To study impact of supplements on hematological profile of pregnant women, Hb, PCV, RBC, TS%, TIBC and serum levels of iron, zinc, copper, manganese and vitamin A were assessed at 20 +/- 2 weeks and 36 +/- 2 weeks of gestation by standard techniques. Pregnant women in Group I (Fe suppl) and group II (Fe + vitamin A suppl) had significantly (p < 0.01) higher Hb, PCV, RBC, TS% and serum iron levels than the controls. Group II had significantly (p < 0.05) higher values of these indices as compared to Group I. Levels of serum zinc, copper, manganese were not affected by supplements. Iron supplements improved the hematological profile of pregnant mothers but Fe + vitamin A supplements were more beneficial.