Prevalence and risk factors of iron deficiency among young mothers

Quality of life and achievements are impaired by unrecognised iron deficien cy. The iron requirement of women during their child-bearing age is high an d increases in pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine the preval ence and risk factors for iron deficiency in young mothers under contempora ry German life conditions. Between September 1997 and August 1998 the iron status of 507 mothers of one-year old children was assessed. The data was d erived from venous blood and questionnaires. Besides conventional methods, the concentration of soluble transferrin receptor was used as leading indic ator of iron status. 9.5% had cellular iron deficiency and 2.2% of all moth ers had iron deficiency anemia. In addition to absence of school education non-German nationality, a high number of children and vegetarian food are r isk factors for iron deficiency. In contrast, high alcohol intake and cigar ette smoking are associated with a better iron status. Children of mothers with insufficient iron supply are also at higher risk of iron deficiency.