Iron Supplement Use among Women in the United States: Science, Policy and Practice

Abstract

The use of iron supplements is an accepted treatment for nonhereditary anemia. The use of iron supplements as prophylaxis is more controversial. We estimated the proportion of persons who consumed supplements that contain iron among the following groups: nonpregnant, nonlactating adolescents, aged 14-18 y (n = 992); women aged 19-50 y (n = 5,062); women aged 51 y and older (n = 3,593); pregnant women (n = 295); and lactating women (n = 97) using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994. We found that the proportion (% +/- SE) of U.S. women consuming supplements containing iron in the previous month was 9 +/- 2% among nonpregnant, nonlactating adolescents; 23 +/- 1% among women aged 19 y and older; 72 +/- 4% among pregnant women; and 60 +/- 8% among lactating women. Low income women were less likely to consume supplements containing iron. Minority women were less likely to consume supplements containing iron in all groups except adolescents. Among consumers of supplements that contain iron, the median intake of iron was 11 mg/d among nonpregnant adolescents, approximately 17 mg/d among nonpregnant women, 58 mg/d among pregnant women and 57 mg/d among lactating women. Use of supplements that contain iron was associated with a significantly reduced prevalence of iron deficiency among women 19-50 y but not among other groups. Groups at highest risk of iron deficiency (e.g., low income and minority women) are often least likely to consume supplements containing iron, suggesting that supplement use is unrelated to actual need.

Morbidity and drug utilization pattern among admitted pregnant anemic women and to find out rationality of drug by using Indian guidelines

“…For prompt and satisfactory response oral iron was started after PCV ( Table 4). These findings are similar to other studies in United States (72%), 22 Switzerland (65%), 23 West Nepal (72%) 24 and Egypt (86%) 25 but less than one study. 26 As shown in Table 5, tablets were commonly used followed by capsules.…”

Iron intake and dietary sources of iron in Flemish adolescents

“…The data presented in this paper do not include the use of iron supplements as this information was not available from the survey. However, the authors do not expect that this would have influenced the overall conclusions in this paper, since a minority of adolescents is expected to use ironcontaining supplements on a regular basis (Stang et al, 2000;Cogswell et al, 2003).…”

A study of morbidity and drug utilization pattern in indoor patients of high risk pregnancy at tertiary care hospital

“…17 It is less than one study done in Uganda (84.4%) 18 but more than one study done in Pakistan (40%). 19 In moderate anemia, iron salts were given in most of patients as to overcome the need of increased iron requirement during pregnancy. Ferrous fumarate and Ferrous ascorbate was prescribed in 144 (57.6%) and 45 (18%) patients which is similar to other studies in United States (72%) 19 , Switzerland (65%) 20 , West Nepal (72.8%) 21 and Egypt (86%) 22 But less than one study.…”

“…19 In moderate anemia, iron salts were given in most of patients as to overcome the need of increased iron requirement during pregnancy. Ferrous fumarate and Ferrous ascorbate was prescribed in 144 (57.6%) and 45 (18%) patients which is similar to other studies in United States (72%) 19 , Switzerland (65%) 20 , West Nepal (72.8%) 21 and Egypt (86%) 22 But less than one study. 23 Injectable iron like iron sucrose was prescribed to moderate and severe anemia when oral iron was not tolerated and gives faster response.…”