Despite pregnant women being on ferrous sulphate, some are still present with clinical anaemia
(haemoglobin less than 10.5g/dL) Basing on the finding of Malawi Macronutrient Survey that 33%
of Pre – School Children (PSC) are carriers for alpha – thalassemia. This anaemia in pregnant
women despite on ferrous sulphate for iron deficiency could be due to alpha – thalassemia. Patients
with alpha – thalassemia are not supposed to get ferrous sulphate due to iron overload. This iron
overload has negative impact towards pregnancy.(10) Hemoglobin concentrations higher than
normal have been associated with higher rates of preeclampsia, prematurity, and fetal growth
restriction(11)(12)