Intravenous Iron Sucrose and Oral Iron for the Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Pregnancy

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous iron sucrose and oral iron administration for the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy. Materials and Methods: Hundred women with gestational age between 30 and 34 weeks with established iron deficiency anaemia with Haemoglobin-6-8g/dL were randomised to receive either oral ferrous sulphate 200 mg thrice daily or required dose of intravenous iron sucrose 200 mg in 200 ml NS on alternate days. Haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, reticulocyte count were measured at recruitment and on 2nd week, 4th week and at 37 weeks. Adverse drug reactions were also noted in both the groups. Results were analyzed by student’s t-test and Chi-square test. Results: Haemoglobin values varied significantly with time between the two groups at second week, 4th week and at term (p<0.005). The mean difference in mean corpuscular volume from the recruitment value was not significant at 2nd week. When compared to iron sucrose group, oral iron group had significant gastro-intestinal adverse effects. Conclusion: Intravenous iron sucrose treated iron deficiency anaemia of pregnancy faster, and more effectively than oral iron therapy, with no serious adverse drug reactions.

Keywords

• iron deficiency anaemia
• iron sucrose
• oral iron therapy