ASSESSMENT OF THE IRON STATUS OF MOTHER-CHILD COUPLES AT DELIVERY IN THE TOWN OF KINDU

<p>Abstract: A study iron status assessment in mother-infant pairs in chidbirth was performed in<br>different maternity hospitals of the city of Kindu (DRC). 392 mother-infant pairs were the<br>subject of this study. The incidence of iron deficiency is very high in the mothers (82%)<br>compared to that of newborns deficient (16%), all from deficient mothers (serum iron 37-<br>100ug/dl). No cases of anemia with iron deficiency was not observed either in the mother or in<br>the newborn (serum iron <37ug/dl).Multiparity and low birth weight (LBW) are considered<br>important risk factors for iron deficiency in the NN. The prevalence of pregrancy anemia of<br>34.2% observed in our study had no influence on iron deficiency in the newborn. </p>