Assessment of Iron Stores among Non Anaemic Pregnant Women in their First Trimester: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: During the first trimester of pregnancy, iron stores begin to deplete without any apparent signs of Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA). This gradual depletion can result in ineffective erythropoiesis, eventually leading to anaemia in the second and third trimesters. In India, where most pregnancies are unplanned, assessing iron stores during the preconception period is particularly challenging. Aim: To determine the prevalence of depleted iron stores among non anaemic pregnant women in their first trimester. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, from April 2021 to March 2022. A total of 150 pregnant women in their first trimester, attending the Outpatient Department (OPD) and having haemoglobin levels ≥11 g/dL and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) ≥33%, were enrolled. Data were collected and analysed based on variables such as age, socioeconomic status, parity, haemoglobin levels, PCV, Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), serum iron, serum ferritin, and Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC). Standard statistical methods were used for data analysis. Numerical variables were presented as mean±Standard Deviation (SD), and categorical variables were expressed as counts and percentages. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of subjects was 24.63±4.88 years (range: 17-39 years; median: 24 years). The mean haemoglobin was 11.97±0.75 g/dL, while the mean PCV was 37.08±2.82%, mean MCV was 84.30±5.15 fL, and mean MCHC was 32.66±1.61. Among the total participants, 66 women (44%) had serum iron and ferritin levels below the normal range, indicating iron deficiency despite being non anaemic. Whereas for TIBC, 84 women (56%) had normal levels, and 66 (44%) had elevated TIBC. A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between serum ferritin and serum iron (p<0.0001), while a statistically significant negative correlation was found between TIBC and serum iron (p<0.0001). Conclusion: The study found that a significant proportion of non anaemic pregnant women in the first trimester had depleted iron stores.