ABSTRACT
Background: Nutritional iron deficiency anaemia is prevalent. It responds promptly to iron therapy. Parenteral iron therapy is considered to be better for rapid correction of anaemia, than oral form. Methodology: The haematological response, of 47 severely iron deficient patients, to orally administered iron was compared to that of 40 patients given parenteral iron sorbitol. The haematological response was assessed with the help of Coulter indices. Results: No significant difference in the rate of change of haematological parameters was observed in oral & parenteral form of iron therapy. Conclusion: Earliest response & completion of therapy both can be judged by Red cell Distribution Width (RDW) levels in either form of iron replacement. Red Blood Cells histogram best reflects an evolution of response and overt attainment of normal contours & placement reflects the adequacy of treatment.