Iron Sucrose or Ferric Carboxy Maltose: Comparative Study for Treatment of Post-Partum Iron Deficiency Anemia

ABSTRACT

Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is commonlyobserved due to blood loss at the time of delivery or lack ofadequate supply during pregnancy, thus increasing the risk ofmorbidity and mortality. Iron supplementation is currently usedto treat postpartum anemia, however oral iron supplementationis associated with unwanted side effects especiallygastrointestinal. Parenteral iron therapy is effective than oraliron supplementation in replenishment of haemoglobin and ironstores (ferritin) with much better compliance. Thus, we aimedto evaluate efficacy of two commonly used parentalpreparations of iron viz sucrose and ferric carboxymaltose.Materials and Methods: This study was conducted at KatiharMedical College, katihar in the department of Obstetrics andGynaecology from november 2012 to october 2013. Weincluded 120 female with post-partum anemia. The patientswere divided into two groups name Group 1 and Group 2.Patinets in Group 1 received multiple doses of iron sucroseeach in small quantity while patients in Group 2 wereadministered single high dose of ferric carboxymaltose. Thechanges in haemoglobin and ferritin levels post therapy werenoted.Results: The level of haemoglobin post therapy increased to10.48±0.56gm% and 11.83±0.79gm% from 8.27±0.53gm%and 8.305±0.609gm% in group 1 and group 2 respectively.Similarly the level of serum ferrtin increased from 77.91±27.14ng/dl and 78.05±34.69ng/dl to 182.86±33.36ng/dl and195.39±44.6ng/dl respectively. The mean increase ofhemoglobin in group 1 was by 2.2 gm% while it was 3.53gm%in group 2.Conclusion: We found that FCM is more effective than ironsucrose for treatment of iron deficiency anemia.