Intravenous iron sucrose complex in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy

• Published in: European journal of obstetrics & gynecology and reproductive biology Vol. 69; no. 2; pp. 121 - 124
• Main Authors: Al-Momen, Abdul-Kareem, Al-Meshari, Abdulaziz, Al-Nuaim, Lulu, Saddique, Abdulaziz, Abotalib, Zainab, Khashogji, Tariq, Abbas, Munir
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.11.1996; Elsevier
• Subjects: Administration, Oral; Adult; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency - drug therapy; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency - physiopathology; Anemias. Hemoglobinopathies; Biological and medical sciences; Diseases of red blood cells; Erythrocyte Indices; Female; Ferric Compounds - administration & dosage; Ferric Compounds - adverse effects; Ferric Compounds - therapeutic use; Ferric Oxide, Saccharated; Ferritins - blood; Ferrous Compounds - administration & dosage; Ferrous Compounds - adverse effects; Ferrous Compounds - therapeutic use; Ferrous sulfate; Glucaric Acid; Hematinics - administration & dosage; Hematinics - adverse effects; Hematinics - therapeutic use; Hematologic and hematopoietic diseases; Hemoglobins - analysis; Hemoglobins - drug effects; Hemoglobins - metabolism; Humans; Injections, Intravenous; Iron deficiency anemia; Iron sucrose complex; Medical sciences; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic - blood; Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic - drug therapy; Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic - physiopathology; Prospective Studies; Reference Values; Sucrose - administration & dosage; Sucrose - adverse effects; Sucrose - therapeutic use; Time Factors; Pregnancy; Iron sucrose complex; Ferrous sulfate; Iron deficiency anemia; Human; Intravenous administration; Pregnancy disorders; Sucrose; Treatment efficiency; Hemopathy; Treatment; Iron complex; Female; Supplementation; Sideropenia
• DOI: 10.1016/0301-2115(95)02538-3
• ISSN: 0301-2115

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravenous iron sucrose complex (ISC) as compared with oral ferrous sulfate in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy. Study design: prospective, open, controlled study in which pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia were sequentially selected from the antenatal clinic and assigned either to ISC (study group) or to ferrous sulfate (control group). Methods: Each study patient was given the total calculated amount of ICS (Hb deficit (g/l) × body weight (kg) × 0.3) in divided doses (200 mg (elemental iron) in 100 ml normal saline intravenously over 1 h daily) followed by 10 mg/kg to replenish iron stores. Each patient of the control group was given ferrous sulfate 300 mg (60 mg elemental iron) orally three times a day. All patients were monitored for adverse effects, clinical and laboratory response. Results: There were 52 patients and 59 controls. ISC group achieved a significantly higher Hb level (128.5 ± 6.6 g/l vs. 111.4 ± 12.4 g/l in the control group P ≤ 0.001) in a shorter period (6.9 ± 1.8 weeks vs. 14.9 ± 3.1 weeks in the control group, P ≤ 0.001). ISC complex group showed no major side effects while 4 (6%) of the control group could not tolerate ferrous sulfate, 18 (30%) complained of disturbing gastrointestinal symptoms and 18 (30%) had poor compliance. Conclusion: We conclude that ISC is safe and effective in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy.