title: Iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy: intravenous versus oral route.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous iron with oral iron in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia of pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized experimental study was conducted at K. J. Somaiya Hospital involving 200 pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia. In the intravenous group iron dose was calculated from: Total iron dose required (mg) = 2.4 × weight kg × target hemoglobin - actual hemoglobin) g/dl + 500.   Target hemoglobin was set at 12 g/dl. In the oral group patients received 200 mg oral ferrous ascorbate daily. Hemoglobin and serum ferritin were reviewed at 2, 4, and 6 weeks. Paired and independent t test was applied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The change in hemoglobin and ferritin levels from baseline was significantly higher in the intravenous group than the oral group at each measurement (P = 0.000).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intravenous iron elevates hemoglobin and restores iron stores faster than oral iron, with no severe adverse reactions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, K. J. Somaiya Medical College and Research Centre, Somaiya Ayurvihar, Eastern Express Highway, Near Everard Nagar, Sion, Mumbai, 400022 India.
authors.forename: Deeba
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shafi
authors.forename: Shekhar V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Purandare
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Sathe
keywords: Hemoglobin; Iron deficiency anemia; Iron sucrose; Oral ferrous ascorbate; Serum ferritin