Abstract: Background: Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide; it affects 1.6 billion people Iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are often encountered in the general population, particularly among children and women with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) and during pregnancy as well as postpartum period Intravenous (IV) iron replacement can deliver the total amount of required iron over a short period. Currently, the most commonly used IV iron formulations are iron sucrose (IS) and ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) [4-6]. Iron sucrose does not require test dose and is safe. Ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) is the latest I.V. iron formulation which can be used at high doses and allows rapid administration (up to 1000 mg in a single dose infused in 15 minutes) The present study was a comparative study of parenteral iron therapy (intravenous iron sucrose versus intravenous ferric carboxymaltose in the management of iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy.
Methods: In the present study, 50 pregnant women with IDA were randomly distributed into two groups of 25 each. Group - A: 25 receiving intravenous iron sucrose therapy; Group - B: 25 receiving intravenous ferric carboxymaltose therapy.
Results: Majority of the study participants in Group A had gestational age between 20–25 weeks (48%). The mean age of the study participants in Group A was found to be 22.86+4.42 weeks. Majority of the study participants in Group B had gestational age between 20-25 weeks (36%). The mean age of the study participants was found to be 23.01+3.01 weeks. Majority of the study participants in Group A had nil parity (40%). 36% of the study participants in Group B had nil parity. 60% of the study participants in group A had Mild degree of anaemia with 52% in group B having mild degree of anaemia. 40% and 44% of the study participants in group A and group B had Moderate degree of anaemia respectively. The association was found to be statistically significant between the mean Hb and Ferritin values pre-treatment, 3rd and 6th week follow-up post treatment and the 2 groups of study participants. The adverse effects were comparatively lower among Group B (IV ferric carboxymaltose) than Group A (IV iron sucrose) of the study participants.
Conclusions: IV ferric carboxymaltose administration increases the hemoglobin level more rapidly as compared to iron sucrose in women with iron deficiency anemia in the pregnancy. It also stores iron more rapidly. No serious adverse effects were recorded. Ferric carboxymaltose is well tolerated, safe and effective alternative to iron sucrose in iron deficiency anemia of pregnancy. FCM has the advantage of a large dose administration per sitting and early rise in hemoglobin level.
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