Objective: To assess the level of hemoglobin-Hb during pregnancy before and after fortification of flours with iron.Method: A cross-sectional study with data from 12,119 pregnant women attended at a public prenatal from five macro regions of Brazil.The sample was divided into two groups: Before-fortification (birth before June/2004) and After-fortification (last menstruation after June/2005).Hb curves were compared with national and international references.Polynomial Coriander regression models were built, with a significance level of 5%.
Results: Although the higher levels of Hb in all gestational months after-fortification, the polynomial regression did not show the fortification effect (p=0.3).Curves in the two Concealer groups were above the references in the first trimester, with following decrease and stabilization at the end of pregnancy.Conclusion: Although the fortification effect was not confirmed, the study presents variation of Hb levels during pregnancy, which is important for assistencial practice and evaluation of public policies.