Postpartum iron status in nonlactating participants and nonparticipants in the Special Supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children

Iron deficiency, a pervasive problem among low-income women of childbearing age, threatens maternal health and pregnancy outcomes. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) was designed to alleviate health problems and provides supplemental nutritious foods, n...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American journal of clinical nutrition 2001, Vol.73 (1), p.86-92
Main Authors: PEHRSSON, Pamela R, MOSER-VEILLON, Phylis B, SIMS, Laura S, SUITOR, Carol W, RUSSEK-COHEN, Estelle
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Anemia
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency - prevention & control
Anemias. Hemoglobinopathies
Biological and medical sciences
Children & youth
Diseases of red blood cells
Female
Ferritins - blood
Food Services - standards
Hematologic and hematopoietic diseases
Hemoglobin
Hemoglobins - analysis
Humans
Iron
Iron - analysis
Iron - blood
Iron, Dietary - administration & dosage
Medical sciences
Nutrition
Postpartum Period
Public Assistance
Receptors, Transferrin - blood
Social Class
Surveys and Questionnaires
Time Factors
Women
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Summary:Iron deficiency, a pervasive problem among low-income women of childbearing age, threatens maternal health and pregnancy outcomes. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) was designed to alleviate health problems and provides supplemental nutritious foods, nutrition education, and health care referrals. The aim of this study was to examine the benefits associated with participation in WIC in terms of biochemical tests of postpartum iron status in nonlactating women. WIC participants (n = 57) and eligible nonparticipants (n = 53), matched by race and age, were followed bimonthly over 6 mo postpartum. Finger stick blood samples (500 microL) were collected for measurement of plasma ferritin, transferrin receptor (TfR), and hemoglobin (Hb). The mean (+/-SE) Hb concentration of participants exceeded that of nonparticipants from months 2 through 6. At 6 mo, the mean Hb concentration of participants was significantly higher than that of nonparticipants (8.01+/-0.12 and 7.63+/-0.12 mmol/L, respectively; P< 0.05) and the prevalence of anemia was significantly lower (17% and 51%, respectively; P
ISSN:0002-9165
1938-3207
DOI:10.1093/ajcn/73.1.86