Iron Absorption and Requirements in Pregnancy and Lactation

In the CO-rebreathing method, a dedicated apparatus is used for inhaling and rebreathing a very small bolus of CO through a spirometer for \~2 min, which is absorbed through the lungs and binds to Hb, and then the increase of HbCO content of blood is measured 8 min after the CO inhalation. The increase of COHb in blood samples can then be used to precisely calculate Hb mass and blood volume

Participants randomly assigned to the sub-group, will receive 54Fe with a test meal in the second and third trimester for assessment of dietary iron absorption

Participants randomly assigned to the sub-group, will receive intravenous 58Fe in the second and third trimester for assessment of erythrocyte iron incorporation