Intravenous iron sucrose complex in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravenous iron sucrose complex (ISC) as compared with oral ferrous sulfate in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy.

STUDY DESIGN: prospective, open, controlled study in which pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia were sequentially selected from the antenatal clinic and assigned either to ISC (study group) or to ferrous sulfate (control group).

METHODS: Each study patient was given the total calculated amount of ICS (Hb deficit (g/l) x body weight (kg) x 0.3) in divided doses (200 mg (elemental iron) in 100 ml normal saline intravenously over 1 h daily) followed by 10 mg/kg to replenish iron stores. Each patient of the control group was given ferrous sulfate 300 mg (60 mg elemental iron) orally three times a day. All patients were monitored for adverse effects, clinical and laboratory response.

RESULTS: There were 52 patients and 59 controls. ISC group achieved a significantly higher Hb level (128.5 +/- 6.6 g/l vs. 111.4 +/- 12.4 g/l in the control group P < or = 0.001) in a shorter period (6.9 +/- 1.8 weeks vs. 14.9 +/- 3.1 weeks in the control group, P < or = 0.001). ISC complex group showed no major side effects while 4 (6%) of the control group could not tolerate ferrous sulfate, 18 (30%) complained of disturbing gastrointestinal symptoms and 18 (30%) had poor compliance.

CONCLUSION: We conclude that ISC is safe and effective in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy.