The effect of 1-year use of the CuT 380A and oral contraceptive pills on hemoglobin and ferritin levels - PubMed (original) (raw)

Clinical Trial

The effect of 1-year use of the CuT 380A and oral contraceptive pills on hemoglobin and ferritin levels

E O Hassan et al. Contraception. 1999 Aug.

Abstract

This is a longitudinal study of the effect of 1 year of use of Cu-T 380A intrauterine device (IUD) and oral hormonal contraceptives (OC) on the hemoglobin (Hb) content, serum ferritin, and percent iron saturation (serum iron/total iron binding capacity) of women with initial Hb level of 9-12 g/dL. It was carried out by the Egyptian Fertility Care Society in collaboration with seven University and Ministry of Health Teaching Hospitals. Women were followed-up at fixed intervals when laboratory tests conducted at admission were repeated. The use of Cu-T380A IUD produced a statistically significant drop in the Hb content and percent iron saturation levels after 12 months of use, as compared to the use of OC for the same period. The drop was greater with longer IUD use, initial high Hb levels, and among urban and semiurban residents. It is recommended that iron supplementation be part of the IUD services provided in family planning units in view of the high prevalence of anemia among women in the childbearing age in Egypt.

PIP: This longitudinal study examined the effect of 1 year of use of the Cu-T 380A IUD and of oral contraceptives (OCs) on the hemoglobin (Hb) content, serum ferritin, and percent iron concentration of women with an initial Hb level of 9-12 g/dl. A total of 256 IUD initiators and 202 contraceptive pill initiators in seven participating centers in Egypt comprised the study population. Hb content was measured after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, and the serum ferritin, serum iron, and total iron binding capacity after 6 and 12 months of contraceptive use. Findings revealed that the use of Cu-T 380A IUD produced a statistically significant drop in the Hb content and percent iron saturation levels after 12 months of use, as compared with the use of OCs for the same period. The drop was greater with longer IUD use, initial high Hb levels, and among urban and semiurban residents. It is recommended that iron supplementation be part of the IUD services provided in family planning units in view of the high prevalence of anemia among women of childbearing age in Egypt. Moreover, mass media campaigns should be carried out to improve the nutritional status of women, especially in the poorer population.

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