The objective of the study is to find a correlation between anemia, oxidative stress and iron status in pregnant females in
rural Rajasthan. A study group of 25 pregnant anemic women and a control group of 25 pregnant non-anemic women
were chosen from Obstetrics and Gynecology OPD. Blood samples were taken and all relevant blood indices like, Hb%,
PCV, MVC, MCH, MCHC were measured by automated cell counter. Serum iron level was measured by CAB method and FRAP easy was done on
all the subjects and controls. The study showed a direct positive correlation (R value=0.46) between Serum Iron levels and Oxidative stress in
study and control group. It also highlights a significant correlation (p<0.05) between Hb% level and a decreased ferric reducing ability of plasma.
Anemia in pregnancy shifts oxidant-anti oxidant balance towards oxidant spectrum resulting in a significant decrease in antioxidant activity in
plasma of such females. With oxidative stress already implicated in maternal and fetal complication in the outcome of pregnancy this increase
is significant and calls for further evaluation.