EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF FERRIC CARBOXYMALTOSE AND IRON SUCROSE IN POSTPARTUM IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA - A COMPARATIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Anemia is one of the major contributing factors in maternal mortality and morbidity in third world countries and according to the WHO, contributes to 20% maternal deaths. WHO has defined postpartum anemia as hemoglobin of less than 10 gms%. Parentral iron helps in restoring iron stores faster and more effectively than oral iron without gastrointestinal side effects. Ferric carboxymaltose complex is a non-dextran containing intravenous agent with low immunogenic potential, designed to be administered in large doses in short period of time. The objective of this study was to compare efficacy and safety of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose with iron sucrose in treatment of postpartum iron deficiency anemia.

METHODS: This was a prospective comparative observational hospital based study, done in postpartum women with iron deficiency anemia in the post graduate department of obstetrics and gynaecology skims soura. A total of 200 patients with postpartum iron deficiency anemia were taken up in the study.

RESULTS: Results showed satisfactory rise in hemoglobin and serum ferritin, good patient satisfaction, minimal side effects and easy administration of dose in patients who received intravenous ferric carboxymaltose. The mean rise in hemoglobin in ferric carboxymaltose group was 3gm/dl versus mean rise in hemoglobin in iron sucrose group 2.03gm/dl, in two weeks.

CONCLUSION: The study concluded that ferric carboxymaltose is safe intravenous agent for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in postpartum period, indeed it is a revolution in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia.