Comparison of Oral and Intravenous Iron for Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Pregnancy.

ABSTRACT

Oral iron supplementation is standard obstetrical practice. But programmes of anaemia prophylaxis based on oral iron supplementation still remain a failure. Whether or not there is need for parenteral iron may be debated. Parenteral iron is indicated when oral iron supplementation is not possible or fails. Intravenous iron could be a good alternative in pregnant women to ensure compliance. Many workers have shown that parenteral iron therapy supplies enough iron for erythropoiesis. Therefore, In the present review, we assessed oral iron supplementation with intravenous (IV) iron sucrose in the management of iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy. Intravenous iron sucrose appears a good alternative to oral iron in patients who are either intolerant to oral iron or are non compliant and may also reduce the incidence of blood transfusion and its associated risks.