EVALUATION OF INTRAVENOUS IRON VERSUS ORAL IRON IN MANAGEMENT OF IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA IN PREGNANCY WITH SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO BODY IRON STORE

INTRODUCTION: Anemia is the most common Nutritional deficiency disorder in the World. Iron-deficient anemia (IDA) is responsible for 95% of anemia during pregnancy. Parenteral iron is a useful treatment, although iron dextran use decreased due to anaphylaxis. Iron sucrose is a newer agent that has overcome the shortcomings of iron dextran. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and tolerance of intravenous iron sucrose (IVIS) therapy with oral iron (OI) therapy in pregnant women with IDA with specific emphasis on body iron stores. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective, randomized clinical trial included 100 pregnant women between < 32 weeks with established IDA who were treated with IVIS or OI (ferrous ascorbate). All patients were monitored for laboratory response and adverse effects. Independent sample-t test was used for statistical analysis. P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Although hemoglobin increased in both the groups, increase in the reticulocyte count and percentage increase in hemoglobin was significantly higher in the IVIS group than in the OI group. Serum ferritin was significantly higher in the IVIS group than in the OI group (P = 0.000). The IVIS group had no major side-effects. Compliance was good with OI, although majority had gastrointestinal side-effects. CONCLUSION: IVIS is safe and effective in the treatment of IDA during pregnancy. Iron stores increased better with IVIS compared with OI.