Utilization of iron at different concentrations on pregnant teenagers alsosupplemented with zinc and folate

The pregnant teenager is considered at nutritional risk specially due to th e fact that most of them still growing and developing. Therefore the demand s of pregnancy compete with those of growth causing an extra need for her a nd the fetus (1). Iron, zinc and folate are essential nutrients that are fr equently low on the teenagers diet. Besides that there is not much specific information available about these nutrient recommendations and their inter action among each other. The data available is limited and demands more inv estigation. This study was conducted at a Public Maternity Hospital located at Teresina, Piaui, Brazil. The main objective of this study was to invest igate the effect of different concentrations of iron supplementation (80 an d 120 mg of ferrous sulfate) together with folate (250 mug) and zinc (5 mg) on the hemoglobin concentration and iron stores (plasma ferritin) of pregn ant adolescents. The supplementation was done from the 16(th) to 20(th), we eks of gestation until delivery. The data founded proved that either 80 mg or 120 mg of iron supplements had similar effect on the improvement of hemo globin concentration although results showed no statistical significance.