RÉSUMÉ
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.
RÉSUMÉ
Una mujer embarazada murió luego de la administración parenteral de un preparado de hierro (sorbitol),producto que fue identificado por la Autoridad Sanitaria Argentina como un medicamento apócrifo. Su análisis químico determinó que el contenido de hierro era 3.5 veces mayor al rotulado. Los estudios toxicológicos demostraron que su administración representa un riesgo sanitario y podría ser el causante de la muerte.
After the injection of an iron sorbitol preparation a pregnant woman died. Its chemical analysis determined a hugeamount of iron (3.5-fold higher than the labeled). Results obtained by toxicological studies show that such medicinal product represents a sanitary risk and probably it could be presumed as the cause of death.