Abstract

Background: Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is the most common nutritional deficiency in pregnancy. Prophylactic oral iron is recommended during pregnancy to meet the increased requirement of iron. In India, more than 50% women become pregnant with low baseline haemoglobin level resulting in high incidence of moderate to severe anaemia in pregnancy where oral iron therapy cannot meet the requirement. This study was undertaken for critical evaluation of iron sucrose in terms of efficacy, safety, and feasibility along with any reduction in blood transfusion rate.

Aims & Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of intravenous Iron sucrose in antenatal patients with Iron deficiency anaemia and to study the side effects of intra venous Iron sucrose.

Material and Methods: This prospective study was conducted from Nov 2012 to June 2013 at VS General Hospital, Ahmedabad. 60 antenatal patients found to have anaemia having Hb level < 9 gm% were admitted and given intravenous iron sucrose therapy 100mg alternate day after calculating the dose of the iron requirement.

Results: In patients having moderate anaemia (Hb 7-9 gm%), the rise in Hb found to be 2.17 ± 0.45 gm% from pre-treatment Hb of 7.88 ± 0.58 gm% to 9.9 ± 0.53 gm%. In patients with severe anaemia (Hb < 7 gm%), the rise in Hb was observed up to 2.73 ± 0.51 (SD) gm% after 1 month of iron sucrose treatment. No major side effects or anaphylactic reactions were noted during the study period.

Conclusion: Parenterally administered iron sucrose elevates Hb and restores iron stores earlier and also that intravenous iron administration has led to the reduction in the rate of blood transfusion rate.

Key words: Anaemia, Parenteral Iron Therapy; Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA); Iron Sucrose Complex (ISC)