Comparative Study Between Intravenous Iron Sucrose and Oral Iron for Treatment of Post Partum Anemia

Abstract

AIMS & OBJECTIVES:The aim of study was to compare the efficacy, safety and compliance of intravenous iron sucrose complex with oral Iron therapy in treatment of postpartum anemia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 60 postpartum women who had delivered within 24 -48 hours and having hemoglobin <9.0 gm./dl and serum ferritin < 15 μg/L were studied prospectively. They were randomized into two groups. In Group A 30 women received 200 mg of iron sucrose on every alternate day for 3 days and in group B 30 women received oral iron ferrous sulphate tablets twice daily for 30 days. Hemoglobin and serum ferritin were measured on day 7, and day 30. The side effects in both groups were noted. RESULTS: There was a significant rise in mean hemoglobin on day 7 in intravenous iron group (7.23 ± SD 0.57 gm./dl to 9.24 ± SD 0.57 gm./dl) in comparison to oral iron (7.33 ± SD 0.41 gm./dl to 7.42 ± SD 0.39.) difference was statistically significant (p value < 0.01) Mean Hemoglobin on day 30 was higher in Intravenous iron group than oral iron although the difference was not significant. Mean serum ferritin levels showed rise from 11.40 ± SD 0.94 μg/L to 40.42 ± 7.76 μg/L in Intravenous iron group on 7th day and it was 49.21 ± 3.33 μg/L on day 30.Level of rise on day 30 of serum ferritin in intravenous was significant (p < 0.001) whereas in oral iron group on day 30 mean Serum ferritin was 15.86 ± 2.28 μg/l level of rise was not significant (p value > 0.05). Intravenous iron sucrose did not result in any serious adverse reactions. CONCLUSION: Intravenous iron sucrose is more effective, rapid and safe in increasing hemoglobin level in women with postpartum anemia in comparison with oral iron therapy. It also replenishes iron stores more rapidly without any serious adverse effects.