Effect of iron supplements on serum copper status in pregnant women in Islamshahr

Introduction: Iron deficiency anemia is recognized as the most prevalent nutrient deficiency in the world and iron supplements, which are prescribed daily in pregnant women for prevention of this anemia, may have unfavorable effects on copper absorption. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of iron supplementation on serum copper status of pregnant women. Materials and Methods: In a historical cohort study, from all the pregnant women in the third trimester visiting health centers, 47 pregnant women who took iron tablet (Tl) and 38 pregnant women who did not (DTI) were randomly selected. Serum copper levels were measured by colorimetery and serum iron, TIBC, and Ferritin levels were measured by spectrophotometer. The mean daily intakes of nutrients were estimated using 3-day dietary recall questionnaire and FP2 software. The data were analyzed using student’s t-test, χ2 and Pearson’s correlation coefficients. Results: In Tl group, the mean intake of copper increased significantly compared to DTl group (P<0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between serum copper concentration and TIBC of the two groups (P<0.05). Mean iron concentration and TIBC were significantly different between the two groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the mean serum copper levels of TI group when compared to the DTI group. Conclusion: Iron supplementation had no significant effect on serum copper status of pregnant women. The serum copper levels of 16.5 percent of pregnant women were lower than normal and another 16.5 percent were in borderline range, but the others did not have copper deficiency.