Ferrous sulfate and NaFeEDTA in anemic pregnant women
What it found
In anemic pregnant women, two months of daily iron supplements raised hemoglobin and iron stores and changed markers of oxidative stress.
NaFeEDTA did this more than ferrous sulfate.
What they found
Studies in people
Hemoglobin rise
Hemoglobin rose by 20.5 g/L in the ferrous sulfate group and 21.8 g/L in the NaFeEDTA group, compared with the control group.
Plasma iron and ferritin
Plasma iron rose by 4.81 and 7.19 μmol/L, and ferritin by 2.63 and 8.99 μg/L, in the ferrous sulfate and NaFeEDTA groups, compared with the control group.
Oxidative stress markers
Glutathione peroxidase activity increased by 32.6 and 75.3 IU/ml, and malondialdehyde levels fell by 0.70 and 1.12 μmol/L, in the ferrous sulfate and NaFeEDTA groups, compared with the control group.
NaFeEDTA vs ferrous sulfate
Plasma iron, ferritin and glutathione peroxidase activity were 2.38 μmol/L, 6.36 μg/L and 42.7 IU/ml greater in the NaFeEDTA group than in the ferrous sulfate group.
What the authors conclude
“Moderate iron supplementation may be beneficial to improving iron deficiency and oxidative stress, and NaFeEDTA is better than ferrous sulfate.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that moderate iron supplementation may be beneficial to improving iron deficiency and oxidative stress.
- They state that NaFeEDTA is better than ferrous sulfate.
How it was done
Iron is important for general well being, to prevent or treat anemia, and is a cofactor of many enzymes in the anti-oxidant process.
153 anemic pregnant women with hemoglobin between 80 and 110 g/L were split into three groups of 51. One group took a placebo, one took 60 mg iron daily as ferrous sulfate, and one took 60 mg iron daily as NaFeEDTA, for 2 months. Blood samples were taken before and at the end.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This trial only followed women for 2 months, so it cannot show what happens over longer periods.
- It cannot show whether these changes in oxidative stress markers lead to any health difference.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Medical College of Qingdao University, China
The paper
- Title
- Moderate NaFeEDTA and ferrous sulfate supplementation can improve both hematologic status and oxidative stress in anemic pregnant women
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Han XX, Sun YY, Ma AG, et al (2011). Moderate NaFeEDTA and ferrous sulfate supplementation can improve both hematologic status and oxidative stress in anemic pregnant women. Asia Pacific journal of clinical nutrition.PubMed 22094835
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error