A meta-analysis of ferric carboxymaltose versus other intravenous iron preparations for the management of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy

Abstract Objective: We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials evaluating the clinical effects of ferric carboxymaltose therapy compared to other intravenous iron in improving hemoglobin and serum ferritin in pregnant women. We also assessed the safety of ferric carboxymaltose vs. other intravenous iron. Data source: EMBASE, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched for trials related to ferric carboxymaltose in pregnant women, published between 2005 and 2021. We also reviewed articles from google scholar. The keywords "ferric carboxymaltose," "FCM," "intravenous," "randomized," "pregnancy," "quality of life," and "neonatal outcomes" were used to search the literature. The search was limited to pregnant women. Selection of studies: Studies related to ferric carboxymaltose in pregnancy were scanned. Observational studies, review articles, and case reports were excluded. Randomized studies in pregnant women involving ferric carboxymaltose and other intravenous iron formulations were shortlisted. Of 256 studies, nine randomized control trials were selected. Data collection: Two reviewers independently extracted data from nine selected trials Data synthesis: The final effect size for increase in hemoglobin after treatment was significant for ferric carboxymaltose vs. iron sucrose/iron polymaltose (standard mean difference 0.89g/dl [95% confidence interval 0.27,1.51]). The final effect size for the increase in ferritin after treatment was more for ferric carboxymaltose vs. iron sucrose/iron polymaltose (standard mean difference 22.53µg/L [-7.26, 52.33]). No serious adverse events were reported with ferric carboxymaltose or other intravenous iron. Conclusion: Ferric carboxymaltose demonstrated better efficacy than other intravenous iron in increasing hemoglobin and ferritin levels in treating iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women.

Evaluation of efficacy of injection ferric carboxymaltose in pregnant women

Background: Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) continues to be a very common problem in developing countries leading to a spectrum of adverse events in pregnant women. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy, side effects and tolerance of ferric carboxymaltose as compared to available iron preparations for the prophylaxis and treatment of mild to moderate iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy.Methods: One-year clinical study (from June 2017 to May 2018). A total 100 patients were enrolled after matching inclusion and exclusion criteria. The efficacy assessment was performed during 4, 8, and 12 weeks of starting therapy. If the patient is not responding to therapy in either arm as documented by no rise or fall in haemoglobin levels patients may be removed from study for other therapy. Treatment duration up to 12 weeks. Safety and efficacy follow-up visit at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Institutional ethics committee permission was taken.Results: On intra-group comparisons there was significant increase in haemoglobin levels at 8 and 12 weeks in oral iron group as compared to day 1 haemoglobin levels while there was significant increase in haemoglobin levels at 4, 8 and 12 weeks in IV iron group as compared to day 1 haemoglobin levels. On intergroup comparisons between oral and IV iron group, there was significant increase in haemoglobin levels at 4, 8 and 12 weeks in IV iron group as compared oral iron group haemoglobin levels.Conclusions: Intravenous iron therapy with ferric carboxymaltose causes significant improvement in haemoglobin more quickly and more effective in correcting iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy compared to oral treatment in terms of increase in haemoglobin levels at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose is safe and effective option for pregnant women with iron deficiency anaemia.

Mucinous cystadenoma of ovary: are mammoths really extinct?

The most common ovarian tumours are epithelial tumours. 80% of all tumours are benign, 10% borderline and 10% are malignant. Mucinous tumours represent 8-10% of the epithelial tumours; they may reach enormous size filling the entire abdominal cavity. We report here a case of a huge benign mucinous cystadenoma in a 57-year-old female. Ultrasound and MRI scan showed a large left ovarian cyst. CA-125 was 132 IU/ml. She underwent total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-opherectomy with appendicectomy and infracolic omentectomy. Her post-operative course was unremarkable.