title: Pregnancy associated anemia and iron: a pilot study.
abstract: Iron deficiency occurs when the rate of loss of utilization exceeds its assimilation. Treatment is based on iron supplementation but due to side effects compliance to iron therapy is poor. A double blind comparative study was done using a novel time release preparation of ferrous sulphate (Code A) v.s. sustained release ferrous sulphate preparation (Code B) on 60 pregnant women in mid or late pregnancy with anaemia. The amount of ferrous sulphate in Code A was less than half of Code B. The patients were sequentially randomised as Code A or Code B recipient. The non compliance rate was 33%, and for both Code A & Code B. The mean improvement in hemoglobin after 4 weeks of therapy was 2.01 gm% for Code A and 2.3 gm% for Code B. Iron absorption as evidenced by improvement in S. Iron, TIBC and ferritin levels was better with Code A. The improvement in subjective symptoms of anaemia was better than average in Code B preparation. Code A group had comparatively more side effects both major and minor, this may have been the reason for a slightly higher drop out rate in this group. In conclusion the timed release preparation has a comparable haematological response and better absorption with significantly lower doses as compared to the sustained release preparation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Safdarjang Hospital, New Delhi.
authors.forename: N V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Rani
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pandey
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Das
authors.lastname: Shruti
authors.forename: V H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Talib
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bagati
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; C020748:ferrous sulfate