Once Versus Twice Daily Iron Supplementation in Pregnant Women

Women defined as having iron deficiency anemia based on a low hemoglobin as defined by the
American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a low serum ferritin, in the absence of
hemoglobinopathy, will be randomized to ferrous sulfate 325mg PO daily or PO twice daily.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Singleton gestation

- Iron deficiency anemia as defined by a Hgb of less than 11mg/dL in the first and 3rd
trimester and 10.5mg/dL in the 2nd trimester and a serum ferritin of less than
15ug/mL.

- In accordance with American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
guidelines, the Hgb cutoff will be reduced by 0.8mg/dL in African American women.

- In accordance with the standard of care, African American women and those with a mean
corpuscular volume (MCV) on their routine screening complete blood count (CBC) of less
than 70 will require a hemoglobin electrophoresis to exclude hemoglobinopathy prior to
enrollment.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Multiple gestation

- Maternal hemoglobinopathy or hemochromatosis,

- Irritable bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome

- History of bariatric surgery or extensive bowel surgery

- Individuals already receiving iron supplementation aside from prenatal vitamins.