Prevalence of Iron Deficiency in Non-anemic Pregnant Women During the First Trimester: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background: The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of iron deficiency in non-anemic mothers during the first trimester of pregnancy. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted involving 876 pregnant women who visited Mahdieh Hospital in 2022. Blood samples were collected to measure hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT), and ferritin levels. A ferritin level below 30 ng/dL was considered indicative of iron deficiency. Results: The study found that patients with ferritin levels ≥ 30 ng/dL had higher average age (95% CI: -1.92 to -0.16; P = 0.02) and Hb levels (95% CI: -0.51 to -0.15; P < 0.001) were higher in patients with ferritin levels ≥ 30 ng/dL. No significant correlation was found between ferritin levels and weight (95% CI: -2.78 to 1.01; P = 0.36), height (95% CI: -0.45 to 1.11; P = 0.40), or BMI (95% CI: -0.86 to 1.27; P = 0.44). Additionally, there was no significant relationship between ferritin levels and parity (P = 0.06), education (P = 0.85), income (P = 0.98), dietary habits (P = 0.27), or abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) (P = 0.51) with ferritin level in patients (P > 0.05). However, the incidence of abortion was higher in patients with ferritin levels ≥ 30 ng/dL (P = 0.01). Logistic regression analysis revealed that only Hb levels had a statistically significant relationship with ferritin levels (95% CI: 0.02 to 0.28; P = 0.02). Conclusions: In general, it can be said that Hb and abortion factors can be related to iron deficiency in pregnant women in the first trimester of pregnancy.