title: Intravenous iron sucrose versus oral iron ferrous sulfate for antenatal and postpartum iron deficiency anemia: a randomized trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare oral iron to intravenous iron administration to women in late pregnancy and/or after labor to correct iron deficiency.
  
  
  METHODS
  271 anemic women (148 pregnant women and 123 women post lower segment caesarean section) with hemoglobin (Hb) levels below 110 g/L were enrolled over a two-year period and randomized to receive either two tablets FGF (ferrous sulfate with folic acid) or 400 mg of intravenous iron sucrose plus folic acid 600 µg. Treatment effectiveness was assessed by measuring Hb and ferritin postpartum on day 1, day 14 and day 42. Transfusions of red blood cells and adverse drug reactions were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data of 214 women were available for analysis. Both forms of iron replacement therapy led to increased hemoglobin and ferritin levels over the testing period. Ferritin was significantly higher in the i.v. iron treatment group compared to the oral iron treatment group (p = 0.004) two weeks after delivery, while Hb values did not differ between the groups. No serious adverse drug reactions were observed. Red blood cell transfusion rate was low (1.9%), with equal rates observed in both treatment groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intravenous and oral irons were both effective in correcting peripartum anemia, although intravenous iron restored stores faster than oral iron.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Lyell McEwin Hospital, Elizabeth Vale, SA, Australia. bernd.froessler@health.sa.gov.au
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Froessler
authors.forename: Carmel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cocchiaro
authors.forename: Khaschayar
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Saadat-Gilani
authors.forename: Nicolette
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hodyl
authors.forename: Gustaaf
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dekker
mesh_terms: D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000077605:Ferric Oxide, Saccharated; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005937:Glucaric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006397:Hematinics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005290:Ferric Compounds; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D006397:Hematinics; C020748:ferrous sulfate; D000077605:Ferric Oxide, Saccharated; D005937:Glucaric Acid