A comparative randomized study to observe the effect of parentral iron sucrose and oral iron in the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy

Abstract

Objective: Iron deficiency anaemia is a common problem in obstetrics throughout the developing World, despite the fact that this problem is largely preventable & easily treatable. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of intravenous iron sucrose versus oral iron in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy.Methods: 100 pregnant women with gestational age between 26 to 34 weeks with mild to moderate iron deficiency anemia (Hb 7-10 g/dl) were selected. The target Hb level was 11 g/dl. Selected patients were divided in two equal group, Group-A received IV iron sucrose. The drug was administered by IV infusion. The group B received ferrous sulphate as oral iron. Repeat laboratory estimations were done after six weeks. Data were analyzed using SYSTAT 7.0 (SPSS Inc. USA). Differences between mean percentages were analyzed by independent -‘t’ test.Results: Rise in haemoglobin concentration was observed from 8.41±0.13 to 11.63±0.14 g/dl in Group A and from 8.43±0.15 to 10.09±0.16 g/dl in group B after six weeks.Conclusion: The present study revealed that intravenous iron sucrose is a safe and effective alternative to oral iron in treatment of iron deficiency anaemia of pregnancy.