Effect of iron supplementation in supporting maternal and fetal outcome.

EFFECT OF IRON SUPPLEMENTATION IN SUPPORTING MATERNAL AND FOETAL OUTCOME Research Proposal Name: Supervisors: Institution: Introduction Iron is a very essential nutrient and its metabolism during pregnancy is mostly biased toward maintenance of the foetal supply, even at the cost of causing anaemia to the mother (DeMaeyer et al 1989; Milman, 2006). Hence iron supplementation is necessary to prevent iron deficiency the most prevalent nutrient deficiency globally, for example, anaemia caused by iron deficiency is estimated to affect an approximate of 1–2 billion people worldwide (Haram, Nilsen and Ulvik, 2001). Among these people the groups that demonstrate the highest iron deficiency prevalence are the pregnant women, infants, and children. It is estimated that in developing countries more than 50% of pregnant women and about 20% of pregnant women in industrialized countries are affected by iron deficiency (Wright and Southon, 1990). Iron supplementation is very essential in supporting maternal and foetal outcome mainly because during pregnancy, iron is a critical nutrient for both the growing foetus and the pregnant woman, and is essential to myelination of the CNS and neurotransmitter synthesis. Iron also functions as a crucial part of the haemoglobin as well as acting as a cofactor for the brain development enzymes (Sloan, Jordan and Winikoff, 2002). Foetal iron supply is maintained by diversion of a significant proportion of maternal iron to the growing foetus. Research Question Does antenatal iron supplementation play a crucial role in supporting maternal and foetal outcome by maintaining safe levels of serum ferritin and haemoglobin during pregnancy and at delivery as well as the outcomes on pregnancy termination, birth weight, method of delivery and stillbirth?. Thesis Outline The thesis will involve various sections as follows: Introduction Research question Research hypotheses Research objectives Literature review Research methodology Type...