Prevalence of Iron Deficiency Anemia and Serum Magnesium Among Pregnant Women in Zawia City

Background: Anaemia during pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and child health. Investigations of anaemia and its predictors among pregnant women are needed for preventive measures. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and determinants of anaemia in different periods of pregnancy in Zawia, Libya. Clinical characteristics were gathered using a questionnaire. Serum ferritin, magnesium, and total binding iron concentration (TIBC) were measured using different laboratory methods. Results: Of the 140 women in the study, aged between 18 to 45 were 70.7% had anaemia (haemoglobin [Hb] <11 g/dl), 35.0% had serum iron low<37 and 67.9% had serum ferritin low < 30 mg/dl, 75.0% had higher TIBC, 77.1% magnesium deficiency (<1.80 mg/dl). Anaemic pregnant women had significantly lower levels of serum ferritin and serum magnesium. 58% of lowered hg levels of pregnant women had lower Mg levels. There were significant positive correlations between Hb and serum magnesium (r=0.192, p=0.010). Conclusion: The role of magnesium as a possible contributing factor to anaemia in pregnancy has important implications for the prevention and treatment of these women