Effect of Ferrous Fumarate Supplementation and Date (Phoenix dactylifera) Consumption on Hemoglobin Level of Women in the Third-Trimester of Pregnancy

Abstract

Background: Anemia during pregnancy may lead to serious maternal and fetal complications such as miscarriage, preterm birth and post-partum hemorrhage. This study aimed to determine effects of ferrous fumarate supplementation alone and combined with date consumption on hemoglobin levels in women in the third trimester of pregnancy. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was done on all pregnant women in third-trimester of pregnancy who were referred to the Puteri Ayu Public Health Center in Jambi, Indonesia in 2019. Overall, 60 participants were enrolled via convenience sampling. The subjects were divided into two groups of ferrous fumarate supplementation alone (n=30) and ferrous fumarate supplementation combined with date consumption (n=30). Data were analyzed using the paired t-test and independent t-test at 95% confidence interval. Results: Ferrous fumarate supplementation significantly increased hemoglobin levels in the subjects (P=0.000). However, the combined use of ferrous fumarate and dates was more effective in increasing hemoglobin levels in the subjects (P=0.000). Conclusion: Our results suggest that consumption of dates alone or combined with ferrous fumarate supplementation could be recommended to pregnant women in order to prevent or control anemia during pregnancy.