Comparison of intravenous ferrous sucrose and oral ferrous sulphate in treatment of postpartum iron deficiency anemia.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of intravenous ferrous sucrose, compared to oral ferrous sulphate in women with postpartum iron deficiency anemia (IDA).


METHODS
In a single center, randomized, controlled study, 352 patients with hemoglobin 9 gm/dl or less and serum ferritin of <15 μg/l two days after delivery were equally randomized to receive intravenous ferrous sucrose (up to three calculated replacement doses) or oral ferrous sulphate (150 mg twice daily for six weeks). Primary measures were to assess the rise in hemoglobin (Hb) and serum ferritin.


RESULTS
By day 5, the Hb level in women treated with intravenous ferrous sucrose had rised from 8.48 ± 0.47 to 9.4 ± 0.56 gm/dl. Women treated with intravenous ferrous sucrose had significantly higher Hb levels on day 5, day 14 and day 40 (p < 0.01) than those treated with oral ferrous sulphate. Throughout the study, ferritin level rose rapidly in those treated with intravenous iron and remained significantly higher than in those treated with oral iron (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Intravenous ferrous sucrose increases Hb level more rapidly than ferrous sulphate in women with postpartum IDA. It also replenishes iron stores more rapidly with better tolerability.
a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University , Shibin Elkom , Egypt.
Nabih I
NI
El Khouly
D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013395:Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D005290:Ferric Compounds; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D006454:Hemoglobins; C020748:ferrous sulfate; D013395:Sucrose; D005293:Ferritins
Intravenous ferrous sucrose; oral ferrous sulphate; postpartum anemia