ABSTRACT
Iron deficiency is the most widespread nutritional disorder. Anaemia during pregnancy is common in developing countries. The purpose of this study was to check iron levels during pregnancy by evaluating laboratory indicators of iron deficiency. Our study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Mohamed V Military Training Hospital (MVMTH) and included 66 patients monitored during three trimesters of pregnancy. Biochemical tests including ferritin, serum iron, CRP and blood counts were performed. The average age of patients was 28.3 years, with a standard deviation of 5.2. The prevalence of iron deficiency was 15.2% (n = 10), 25.8% (n = 17) and 42.2% (n = 28) in the first, second and third trimester, respectively. Anemia progressed from 10% (n = 7), 24% (n = 16) to 42% (n = 28). ANOVA test was used to compare the means for the parameters serum ferritin and iron, hemoglobin and hematocrit within the three trimesters. This showed a significant difference with p = 0.001. This study highlights a high prevalence of iron deficiency during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, that would justify a systematic iron supplementation.