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Iron absorption during normal human pregnancy: a study using stable isotopes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

Paul G. Whittaker ,
Tom Lind  and
John G. Williams
Paul G. Whittaker
Affiliation:
University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Princess Mary Maternity Hospital, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear NE2 3BD
Tom Lind
Affiliation:
University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Princess Mary Maternity Hospital, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear NE2 3BD
John G. Williams
Affiliation:
NERC ICP-MS Facility, Department of Geology, Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, Egham, Surrey TW20 OEX
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Abstract

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The absorption of iron has been determined in nine healthy women studied serially during pregnancy and once post delivery. Following the oral administration of 5 mg aqueous 54FeSO4 plus ascorbic acid and the intravenous injection of 200 μg 57FeSO4, the isotope ratios of 54Fe: 56Fe and 57Fe:56Fe in serum were measured by the use of inductively-coupled-plasma mass spectrometry whereby metal ions are vaporized into an argon plasma without previous blood sample preparation. Mean oral Fe absorption was 7.6 (range 1–22) % at 12 weeks gestation, 21.1 (range 9–58) % at 24 weeks, 37.4 (range 18–56) % at 36 weeks and 26.3 (range 8–54) % at 12 weeks post delivery. All the other biochemical and haematological indices were within normal limits for pregnancy. The significant increase (P < 0.01) in Fe absorption during normal pregnancy suggests that most women would have the potential to meet the Fe demands of pregnancy without the need for supplementation if dietary Fe has similar availability to the aqueous preparation.

Keywords

Human pregnancyStable isotopes
Type
Trace Element Metabolism
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 65 , Issue 3 , May 1991 , pp. 457 - 463
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1991

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