A Community-Based Trial on The Comparison of Efficacy, Safety and Cost Effectiveness of Ferrous Sulphate and Ferrous Ascorbate for Anaemia in Pregnancy In Madhya Pradesh, India

Background: Anaemia has significant impact on health of the fetus as well as that of mother. Increased need of iron during pregnancy especially after 2nd trimester makes iron supplementation mandatory. Ferrous ascorbate is known to exist intact inside the gastrointestinal tract due to the stable chelation of iron with ascorbate. This compound does not dissociate due to any of the food inhibitors. The aim is to study the effec-tiveness of Ferrous Ascorbate and Ferrous sulphate in terms of compliance and cost effectiveness of manage-ment of anaemia in pregnancy. Methodology: Study design: Quasi Experimental study, Study area: District Vidisha, Study participants: Preg-nant women of first trimester registered during the study period in the selected Anganwadis/ Gram Arogya Kendra (GAK), Sample size: 240 antenatal mothers. Results: Baseline mean haemoglobin was 11.31±1.05 gm/dl. The mean increase in Ferrous Sulphate was 0.55 gm/dl, and in Ferrous ascorbate was 1.27 gm/dl. Ferrous Sulphate was less compliant than Ferrous ascorbate, and has higher efficacy and lesser side effects. Only Rs. 10.2 additional cost per antenatal mothers for increase of ≥1gm% in Hb will be borne by government if Ferrous Sulphate is replaced by Ferrous Ascorbate. Conclusions: Study results show statistically significant difference in rise of haemoglobin amongst the ante-natal mothers consuming Ferrous ascorbate over Ferrous Sulphate

A randomized controlled trial on lactoferrin versus ferrous sulphate for the treatment of mild to moderate iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy

Background: One of the important factors associated with maternal and foetal complications during pregnancy is Anaemia. Various oral preparations of iron are available, and each has different bioavailability, efficacy and adverse effects. Lactoferrin is a naturally existing iron-binding multifunctional glycoprotein, and a member of a transferrin family, thus belonging to those proteins capable of binding and transferring iron. Lactoferrin has considerably less gastrointestinal side effects than ferrous sulfate and is very useful as well as promising alternative to ferrous sulphate.Methods: Prospective randomized controlled study. Total 100 females with 24 to 36 weeks of pregnancy with haemoglobin between 8 to 10 grams were included out of which 50 patients were given ferrous sulphate 200 mg BD and 50 patients were given lactoferrin 250 mg BD daily for 8 weeks. Various haematological parameters and the adverse effects of both the drugs were studied at registration, 4 weeks and 8 weeks and compared.Results: Thus, after this study authors can say that the rise in haemoglobin with lactoferrin was 1.58 g/dl while with ferrous sulphate it was 1.67 g/dl at 8 weeks. Adverse effects were much lesser in Group A taking lactoferrin compared to Group B.Conclusions: Thus, lactoferrin has the advantage over ferrous sulphate in having   less side effects and increasing the compliance and thus the efficacy of the drug compared to ferrous sulphate.

A study on the aspects of pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacohaemovigilance of ferrous ascorbate, ferrous fumarate, ferrous sulphate and ferric ammonium citrate, among the rural anaemic women, in the Indian spectrum

Background: Anaemia is a global health concern, associated with increased maternal and perinatal mortality, preterm delivery, low birth weight, extreme fatigue and impaired immune system; and controlled by oral haematinics; with a rise in haemoglobin concentration. The objective was to examine the various aspects of pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacohaemovigilance of oral haematinics, among the anaemic women population, in rural India.Methods: This was a multi-centre, retrospective, observational and analytical study of the hospital medical records of 250 anaemic patients, who were allocated into group A of 125 patients within 15-21 years and group B of 125 patients within 22-35 years. The patients were prescribed oral haematinics, containing 60 mg of elemental iron, thrice daily, with meals. The various aspects of pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacohaemovigilance of ferrous ascorbate, ferrous sulphate, ferrous fumarate and ferric ammonium citrate, including patients’ demographic characteristics, anaemic symptoms assessment, prescription patterns, and safety assessment, on 1st, 2nd, 3rd months and follow-up visits, were recorded and thoroughly analysed..Results: In groups A and B, the demographic characteristics of the patients were comparable; ferrous ascorbate was the most commonly prescribed oral haematinic, followed by ferrous sulphate, ferrous fumarate and ferric ammonium citrate, which controlled mild to moderate iron deficiency anaemia, with a gradual significant rise in haemoglobin concentration, in the successive 3 months; and adverse effects were observed to be statistically non-significant in either group.Conclusions: The different aspects of pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacohaemovigilance in the study established that the oral haematinics were reasonably beneficial and safe among the anaemic women population, in rural India.

Prevalence and Management of Postpartum Anaemia in a Tertiary Care Hospital in North India

Postpartum iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is common in women in resource-poor countries. Most women are treated with either oral iron or blood transfusion. The aim of our study was to find out the prevalence of postpartum anemia; and to compare the effect of treatment with either oral ferrous sulphate or intravenous iron sucrose on postpartum IDA. Methods: 102 postpartum women with proven iron deficiency anemia with hemoglobin <9gm/dl and serum ferritin <15 µgm/l were included in the study. They were randomized to receive either oral ferrous sulphate 200 mg twice daily for 6 weeks (group 1) or intravenous ferrous sucrose 200 mg , two to three doses given on alternate days (group 2). Total iron deficit was calculated using standard formula and results analyzed. Main outcome measures: Hemoglobin, hematocrit, red cell indices and ferritin were measured on day 2-3, 1-2 weeks and 6 weeks postpartum. Result: The prevalence of postpartum anaemia was 19.92%. By 1-2 weeks, hemoglobin level in women treated with intravenous iron had risen from 7.81± 0.849 to 9.88± 0.760 gm/dl which was more than those treated with oral iron (p<0.0001); although by 6 weeks, there was no significant difference between the two groups. Ferritin levels rose rapidly in those treated with intravenous iron and remained significantly higher than in those treated with oral iron (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Intravenous iron sucrose increases the hemoglobin level more rapidly than oral ferrous sulphate in women with postpartum IDA. It also replenishes iron stores more rapidly.

Anemia ferropriva e o uso do sulfato ferroso: facilidades e dificuldades na prevenção / Iron-deficiency anemia and use of ferrous sulfate: prevention facilitators and difficulties / Anemia ferropénica y el uso del sulfato ferroso: facilidades y dificultades en la prevención

Objetivo: Apreender os saberes de mães/cuidadores com relação à anemia ferropriva e o uso preventivo do sulfato ferroso, com ênfase nos elementos que facilitam e dificultam a prevenção da enfermidade. Método: Estudo exploratório qualitativo com análise temática indutiva dos dados, realizado por meio de entrevistas com 12 mães/cuidadores de crianças entre seis meses e 11 meses e 29 dias de idade, em acompanhamento em unidade de saúde da família de um município brasileiro. Resultados: A alimentação saudável foi apontada como elemento facilitador na prevenção da anemia ferropriva. Fragilidades nos conhecimentos sobre a enfermidade e o sulfato ferroso como estratégia preventiva, falhas na prescrição do medicamento e uso cotidiano, e poucas orientações foram os elementos que dificultam a prevenção da doença. Conclusão:Práticas educativas em saúde na prevenção da anemia ferropriva são essenciais, sinalizando informações sobre a enfermidade e o monitoramento da suplementação profilática, fortalecendo o cuidado da saúde da criança.

Objective: to learn about mothers' and caregivers' knowledge in relation to iron-deficiency anemia and preventive use of ferrous sulfate, with emphasis on factors that facilitate and hinder prevention of the disease. Method: in this qualitative exploratory study, stimulated thematic data analysis was used after interviews of 12 mothers and caregivers of children from six to 11 months and 29 days of age attending a family health unit in a Brazilian municipality. Results: healthy eating was indicated as a facilitator of iron-deficiency anemia prevention. Weaknesses in knowledge about the disease and about use of ferrous sulfate as a preventive strategy, flaws in medication prescription and daily use, and a scarcity of guidelines were the factors hindering prevention of the disease. Conclusion:health education activities in iron-deficiency anemia prevention, that signal information about the disease and monitoring of prophylactic supplementation, are essential to strengthening children's health care.

Objetivo: entender los saberes de madres / cuidadores con relación a la anemia ferropénica y el uso preventivo del sulfato ferroso, con énfasis en los elementos que facilitan y dificultan la prevención de la enfermedad. Método: estudio exploratorio cualitativo con análisis temático inductivo de los datos, realizado por medio de entrevistas junto a 12 madres / cuidadores de niños entre seis y 11 meses y 29 días de edad, en seguimiento en unidad de salud de la familia de un municipio brasileño. Resultados: se apuntó la alimentación saludable como elemento facilitador en la prevención de la anemia ferropénica. Debilidades en los conocimientos sobre la enfermedad y el sulfato ferroso como estrategia preventiva, fallas en la prescripción del medicamento y uso cotidiano, y pocas orientaciones fueron los elementos que dificultan la prevención de la enfermedad. Conclusión: prácticas educativas en salud en la prevención de la anemia ferropénica son esenciales, señalando informaciones sobre la enfermedad y el monitoreo de la suplementación profiláctica, fortaleciendo el cuidado de la salud del niño.

In-vitro bio-availability of iron from iron fortified cow milk-oat milk blended yoghurt.

Yoghurt is a dairy product obtained by fermentation of milk using starter culture Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus. Application of dietary fibre and iron salt fortification in the manufacture of yoghurt enhances its nutritive and therapeutic value. Oat (Avena sativa) is a cereal that contains soluble fibre β – glucan renders several health benefits. In the present investigation, an attempt was made to develop iron salt fortified, cow milk and oat milk blended yoghurt and in-vitro bioavailability of the iron from the yoghurt was explored. The optimization of oat milk tried at different levels and was accepted at 20 % level and fortification of cow milk – oat milk blended yoghurt with ferrous sulphate fortified at different levels and was accepted at 10mg. Experimental yoghurt samples tested for sensory, chemical parameters, microbiological test and in-vitro bio-availability. The yoghurt samples showed (12%) of iron was maximum bio-availability from yoghurt fortified with ferrous sulphate followed by control and cow milk-oat milk blended yoghurt showed 10.2% and 8.52% respectively. The bio-availability of iron was reduced due to interfere of dietary fibre in yoghurt.

Eficácia do programa nacional de suplementação de ferro no controle de anemia em lactentes assistidos em centros de educaçao infantil / Efficacy of the national program of Iron supplementation in the anaemia control in infants assisted by child education centers

INTRODUÇÃO: a deficiência de ferro ocorre em proporção endêmica entre a população infantil e constitui um dos fatores causais do inadequado desenvolvimento cognitivo, social, motor e de redução da capacidade de aprendizado, colocando os lactentes como grupo prioritário para programas de intervenção nutricional visando o controle da deficiência de ferro. Assim, em 2005 o Ministério da Saúde implantou o Programa Nacional de Suplemento de Ferro (PNSF) disponível para o universo de crianças de 6-24 meses atendidas em Unidades Básicas de Saúde. OBJETIVO: verificar a prevalência de anemia e a eficácia da suplementação profilática com o sulfato ferroso fornecido pelo Programa Nacional de Suplementação de Ferro (PNSF) do Ministério da Saúde do Brasil. MÉTODO: trata-se de estudo prospectivo de intervenção, que foi desenvolvido no município de Guarujá-SP no universo de crianças de 6-24 meses frequentadoras de creches públicas cujos responsáveis autorizaram sua participação. O suplemento de ferro foi oferecido de acordo com as normas do PNSF e o diagnóstico de anemia foi realizado antes e seis meses após o período de intervenção. Como critério de anemia utilizou-se os padrões da Organização Mundial da Saúde que define anemia moderada para valores de hemoglobina (Hb) entre 11,0 e 9,5gHb/dL e anemia grave para valores inferiores a 9,5gHb/dL. RESULTADOS: do total das 136 crianças menores de 2 anos, 81% participou do estudo. Não foi encontrada diferença estatisticamente significativa entre a concentração média de Hb antes e após o período de intervenção (p = 0,684). A média inicial de Hb foi 11,6g/dL(D.p. = 1,82) e a final 11,5 g/dL (d.p.1,31). Embora apenas 11 dos 49 anêmicos atingissem os valores normais, 33 deles apresentaram um aumento na concentração de Hb. CONCLUSÃO: houve um aumento na concentração de hemoglobina entre as crianças com anemia grave. Não houve mudança na situação das crianças com anemia moderada. A suplementação com sulfato ferroso ...

INTRODUCTION: iron deficiency occurs in endemic proportion among children and is one of the causal factors of inappropriate cognitive, social, motor and reduced learning ability, putting infants as a priority group for nutritional intervention programs aiming to control iron deficiency. Thus, in 2005 the Ministry of Health established the National Program of Iron Supplementation (PNSF) available for the universe of children of 6-24 months old attended in Basic Health Units. OBJECTIVE: to estimate the prevalence of anaemia and analyse the efficacy of profilatic supplementation with ferrous sufate. METHODS: a prospective follow-up study intervention that was developed in the city of Guarujá - SP, Brazil in the universe of children between 6-24 months old attended in the Public Basic Health Units whose parents authorized their participation. The supplement was offered in accordance with the standards of PNSF and diagnosis of anaemia was performed before and 6 months after the intervention period. As a criterion for anaemia was used the standards of the World Health Organization that defines moderate anaemia to haemoglobin (Hb) between 11.0 and 9,5gHb/dL and severe anaemia to below 9,5gHb/dL. RESULTS: a total of 136 children under two years, (81% of total) participated in the study. No statistically significant difference was found between the mean Hb concentration before and after the intervention period (p=0.684). The initial mean Hb was 11,6g/dL (SD=1.82) and the final 11.5g/dL (SD=1.31). Although only 11 of the 49 anemic reached normal values, 33 of them showed an increase in Hb concentration. CONCLUSION: there was an increase in Hb concentration among children with severe anaemia. There was no change in the situation of children with moderate anaemia. Supplementation with ferrous sulphate...

A importância do uso do ácido fólico e sulfato ferroso em mulheres no planejamento familiar e ciclo gravídico - puerperal: revisão integrativa da literatura / The importance of the use of folic acid and ferrous sulfate by women during pregnancy: a comprehensive literature review

A anemia por deficiência de ferro e ácido fólico durante a gravidez tem sido associada a várias condições adversas, incluindo o elevado risco de mortalidade materna durante o período perinatal, o baixo peso ao nascer e partos pré-termos. Trata-se de uma revisão de literatura que utilizou artigos científicos e publicações de órgãos governamentais disponíveis nas bases de dados do Scielo, Bireme e Google acadêmico para embasamento teórico. Como resultado, constatou-se que a falta desses micronutrientes pode causar grandes problemas relacionados à saúde materna e infantil como: anemia ferropriva, hipertrofia placentária, hemorragias, subnutrição infantil, defeitos no tubo neural e anemia megaloblástica. Logo, percebe-se que o uso desses micronutrientes é essencial para um bom pré-natal e para garantir o bem estar materno e fetal. Assim, políticas públicas que venham a incentivar ainda mais a suplementação materna dessas substâncias são de grande valia, uma vez que reduzem a morbi-mortalidade materna e neonatal.

Anemia from iron and folic acid deficiency during pregnancy has been associated with various adverse conditions including the high risk of maternal mortality during the perinatal period, low birth weight, and preterm birth. This is a literature review that used scientific articles and government publications available in the SCIELO, BIREME, and Google Scholar databases as a theoretical basis. We observed that the lack of these micronutrients can cause major problems related to maternal and child health such as iron deficiency anemia, placental hypertrophy, bleeding, infant malnutrition, neural tube defects, and megaloblastic anemia. Therefore it is clear that the use of these micronutrients is essential to good prenatal care and to ensure maternal and fetal well-being. Thus, public policies that will further encourage maternal supplementation of these substances are of great value, since this reduces maternal and neonatal morbidity-mortality.