Influences of morning sickness on dietary iron intake and its bioavailability of pregnant women during early pregnancy

More than one-third of fertile women in Korea have depleted iron stores within their bodies and are at risk of developing iron deficiency during pregnancy. It is recognized that morning sickness during early pregnancy reduces dietary diversity and nutrient intake. This study was conducted to determine whether morning sickness influences dietary iron intake and its bioavailability. Over 80% of the subjects in this study experienced morning sickness. Morning sickness reduced dietary intakes of total iron and seemed to decrease both heme and non-heme iron and diminish iron bioavailability with a decline in the consumption of enhancing factors for iron absorption. These results imply that as pregnancy progresses, those women who experienced morning sickness, especially severely, are likely to be iron-deficient.