Material and Methods: 35 pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia, supplemented with oral iron in therapeutic doses for 8 weeks were selected in group A and 35 pregnant women with hemoglobin >11 g/dl, supplemented with oral iron as prophylaxis for 8 weeks were enrolled in group B. Complete blood count, plasma lipid peroxides, enzymatic and non enzymatic antioxidants were measured and statistical analysis was done.

Result: The levels of Hb, serum iron, hematocrit, antioxidant enzymes and vitamin C were found significantly reduced and the levels of lipid peroxides were found significantly raised in iron deficient anemic women as compared with non anemic women. Following 8 weeks of iron supplementation there was a significant increase in antioxidant enzy mes and vitamin C levels and a significant decrease in lipid peroxide levels in anemic pregnant women, while there was a significant decrease in antioxidant enzymes and vitamin C levels and a significant increase in lipid peroxide levels in non anemic pregnant women, as compared with baseline levels before oral iron supplementation.

Conclusion: Oral iron treatment significantly improves hemoglobin level in iron deficiency anemia and recovers antioxidant defense system, while iron supplementation at usual recommended doses in non anemic pregnant women may contribute to increased oxidative stress.