title: A study to compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous iron sucrose and intramuscular iron sorbitol therapy for anemia during pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy, safety, and rate of response of intravenous iron sucrose and intramuscular iron sorbitol therapy for anemia during pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  100 antenatal cases of gestational age 14-32 weeks were included in this prospective study. Cases were randomly divided into two groups. Group A, having 50 cases received intravenous iron sucrose, and 50 cases in Group B received intramuscular iron sorbitol. Response to therapy in both groups was studied and compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean pretherapy hemoglobin in group A was 6.49 gm/dl and in group B was 6.48 gm/dl. The rise in hemoglobin after 4 weeks of starting therapy was 3.52 gm/dl in group A and 2.33 gm/dl in group B. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). The mean time taken to achieve target hemoglobin (≥11 gm/dl) was 6.37 weeks in group A and 9.04 weeks in group B. In group A, 8 % (four) cases had grade I adverse effects. In group B, 24 % (12) cases had grade I adverse effects. The difference was statistically significant (P = 0.027). In both the groups, no case discontinued the therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intravenous iron sucrose is safe, convenient, more effective, and faster acting therapy than intramuscular iron sorbitol therapy for treating moderate to severe anemia during pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dr. S. N. Medical College, B-33, Subhash Enclave, Air Force Area, Jodhpur, Rajasthan India.
authors.forename: Subhadra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Obsterics and Gynaecology, S. N. Medical College, Agra, UP India.
authors.forename: Saroj
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Dr. S. N. Medical College, Jodhpur, Rajasthan India.
authors.forename: Punit Kumar
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Singh
keywords: Iron deficiency anemia; Iron sorbitol; Iron sucrose; Pregnancy