Abstract: Aim: This study was done to determine if alternate day oral iron as effective as daily oral iron in antenatal women including those with mild anemia.
Methods & Material: A prospective randomised trial was done in 215 antenatal women attending a tertiary centre in South India. Group 1 received 100mg of elemental iron daily and group 2 received 100mgs of elemental iron on alternate days. Haemoglobin was estimated in all the trimesters and change in Haemoglobin from baseline and at 32-34 weeks were estimated. Side effects and neonatal outcomes were analysed. Further analysis were done within groups depending upon the Haemoglobin levels.
Results: There was no difference in Haemoglobin levels between the two groups. The response was better in patients with mild anemia in both groups, however when iron was given daily in mildly anemia women the increase in Haemoglobin was better than alternate iron therapy.
Conclusion: Intermittent iron is as effective as daily iron.
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