RESUMO
PIP: 65 patients of gestational age 35.4 weeks, and of average age 27.7 were investigated during postpartum after delivery of stillborn babies, to measure hemoglobin, serum assay of iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), folates level, and vitamin B 12 level. Comparison with a series of 270 women in their third trimester of pregnancy showed that the first group of patients had lower mean hemoglobin level, lower serum iron level, lower TIBC, and lower serum folate level. There was no difference in transferrin saturation, and serum vitamin B 12 was higher. The percentage of anemic women was 50% versus 20% in the larger group; however, there was no difference in the prevalence of iron deficiency. There also was a direct correlation with B12 and serum folate. Further studies are needed to validate these findings.^ieng