Management of postpartum iron deficiency anemia: review of literature

Anemia is a condition in which either the number of circulating red blood cells or their hemoglobin concentration is decreased. As a result, there is decreased transport of oxygen from the lungs to peripheral tissues. The standard approach to treatment of postpartum iron deficiency anemia is oral iron supplementation, with blood transfusion reserved for more server or symptomatic cases. There are a number of hazards of allogenic blood transfusion including transfusion of the wrong blood, infection, anaphylaxis and lung injury, any of which will be devastating for a young mother. These hazards, together with the national shortage of blood products, mean that transfusion should be viewed as a last resort in otherwise young and healthy women. Currently, there are many iron preparations available containing different types of iron salts, including ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate, ferrous ascorbate but common adverse drug reactions found with these preparations are mainly gastrointestinal intolerance like nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, while ferrous bis-glycinate (fully reacted chelated amino acid form of iron) rarely make complication. Two types of intravenous (IV) preparations available are IV iron sucrose and IV ferric carboxymaltose. IV iron sucrose is safe, effective and economical. Reported incidence of adverse reactions with IV iron sucrose is less as compared to older iron preparations (Iron dextran, iron sorbitol), but it requires multiple doses and prolonged infusion time. Intramuscular iron sucrose complex is particularly contraindicated because of poor absorption. It was also stated that when iron dextran is given intravenously up to 30% of patients suffer from adverse effects which include arthritis, fever, urticaria and anaphylaxis.

Efficacy, Tolerability And Safety Of Intravenous Iron Sucrose In Postpartum Anaemia

Background:Anemia is one of major contributing factor in maternal mortality and morbidity in third world countries and according to the WHO, contributes to 40% maternal deaths. Postpartum anemia is observed in up to 27% of wom-en.It is a common problem throughout the world. Treatment of postpartum iron deficiency anemia includes oral and parenteral iron supplmentaion as well as blood transfusion in severe cases. Methods: This was a prospective longitudi-nal study carried out in Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology of PRH, Loni. Total 80 women suffering from post-partum anemia of age above 18 years with haemoglobin (HB) level below 11gm/dl and above 6gm/dl were included for the study. After history taking, clinical examination and baseline Hb level, all of them were administered intrave-nous iron sucrose 200 mg per dose per day till the total calculated dose was administered. The post therapy evaluation was done with the estimation of Hb on day 1, day 7, day 14 and day 21. Results:31.25% women belonged to the age group each of 19-21 years and 22-24 years. Maximum number of patients received 3 doses of IV Iron sucrose (i.e. total 600mg) followed by 2 doses (i.e. total 400mg), 4 doses (i.e. total 800mg) and 5 doses (i.e. total 1000mg) respec-tively. Hb level rises extremely significantly (p<0.001) after IV Iron Sucrose administration on day 1, 7, 14 & 21 as compared to corresponding values before delivery as analyzed by Friedman Test (Nonparametric Repeated Measures ANOVA) . 16 patients (20%) experienced thrombophlebitis to IV Iron Sucrose administration. About 12 (15%) pa-tients experienced rigor followed by sweating in 10 patients (12.5%) and fever in 8 patients (10%). About 62 patients (77.5%) from total 80 reported well tolerability to IV Iron Sucrose while remaining 18 patients (22.5%) reported poor tolerability to IV Iron Sucrose Conclusion:Intravenous iron sucrose increases the haemoglobin more rapidly in first week as compared to second and third week in women with postpartum iron deficiency anemia. Hypersensitivity reac-tion, chest pain, dyspnoea reported with iron dextran and iron sorbitol citric acid were not observed with iron sucrose. Intravenous iron sucrose can be used safely to fill a rift between blood transfusion and oral iron in treatment of post-partum iron deficiency anemia.

The Effect of Oral Administration of Postpartum Tonic Agent(MMQ) on Postpartum Anemia, Obesity and Uterine Involution furing Puerperium / 대한주산의학회잡지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluation the effect of administration of postpartumtonic agent(MMQ) on postpartum anemia during puerperal period, obesity control and uterine involution. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: From June 2002 to November 2002, twenty women who underwent spontaneous vaginal delivery at department of obstetrics and gynecology, college of medicine, Pochon CHA University ghopital were included in this study. All women were randomly assigned to receive postpartum tonic agent(MMQ, Albiomed Co.Ltd) or placebo two times a day after each meal for four weeks. They were assessed obesity test(BMI), hematologic examination(CBC, reticulocyte count), liver function test(AST/ALT) and ultrasound test at first day and 28th days after delivery. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the two group in demographic characteristics. No statistically significant difference were found in this study between the two group in hemoglobin, hematocrit, BMI and the size of uterus. There was no adverse effect to the tested drug. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in efficacy and safety between MMQ and placebo in the effect of postpartum anemia, obesity control and reduction of recovery perod. The following limitations have to be considered; Iron supplement, variable diet, seaweed ingestion, consumption of herb and small sample ize. Therefore, a extensive prospective study with control of these variables should be required.