Effects of Iron and Folic Acid Antenatal Supplements on Maternal Haematology and Fetal Wellbeing

Folic acid supplements in pregnancy and birth outcome: re‐analysis of a large randomised controlled trial and update of Cochrane review

“…[17][18][19][20] The findings of randomised controlled trials have been less than conclusive. Some trials have reported no effect on birthweight, placental weight and gestation, [21][22][23] whereas other trials have reported that folic acid supplementation improves birthweight, placental weight and gestational age. 24,25 The current Cochrane review of folate supplementation in pregnancy included 21 studies and the reviewers felt that no conclusions could be drawn on the effects of folate supplementation on pregnancy outcome other than improvements in haemoglobin status and folate levels, and a suggestion of a lowering of risk for low birthweight.…”

“…The findings of randomised controlled trials have been less than conclusive. Some trials have reported no effect on birthweight, placental weight and gestation, 21–23 whereas other trials have reported that folic acid supplementation improves birthweight, placental weight and gestational age 24,25 …”

Preconceptional Folate Supplementation and the Risk of Spontaneous Preterm Birth: A Cohort Study

“…The interventional trials of folate supplementation during pregnancy resulted in longer duration of pregnancy in some [11],[27] but not in all studies [28]–[30]. However, those trials evaluated folate supplementation during pregnancy, most in the third trimester rather than preconceptionally, and were of insufficient size to assess early preterm birth.…”

Iron status and iron balance during pregnancy. A critical reappraisal of iron supplementation

“…All studies on iron treatment in pregnancy have unequivocally shown that placebo-treated women have significantly lower serum ferritin and hemoglobin than iron-treated women (Table III) (7,24,25,(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39). All studies on iron treatment in pregnancy have unequivocally shown that placebo-treated women have significantly lower serum ferritin and hemoglobin than iron-treated women (Table III) (7,24,25,(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39).…”