A pragmatic randomised controlled trial on routine iron prophylaxis during pregnancy in Maputo, Mozambique (PROFEG): rationale, design, and success.

ABSTRACT: The effects of prophylactic iron during pregnancy on maternal and child health in developing settings with endemic malaria and high prevalence of HIV remain unclear. This paper describes the rationale, implementation and success of a pragmatic randomised controlled trial comparing routine iron supplementation vs. screening and treatment for anaemia during pregnancy. The setting was two health centres in Maputo, Mozambique. Pregnant women (≥ 12-week gestation; ≥ 18 years old; and not with a high-risk pregnancy, n=4326) were recruited. The main outcomes are preterm delivery and low birthweight. The women were randomly assigned to one of two iron administration policies: a routine iron group (n=2184) received 60 mg of ferrous sulphate plus 400 μg of folic acid daily while a selective iron gro

SUBMITTER: Nwaru BI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6860233 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature