Comparison of efficacy of injection ferric carboxymaltose and iron sucrose in moderate anaemia in pregnancy

Abstract

Background: Prevalence of anaemia in pregnant women is 14% in developed and 58-89.6% in pregnant Indian women. Parenteral iron is seems to be an option in the treatment of moderate iron deficiency anaemia which allow high doses of iron to be administered rapidly, in those who are intolerant to oral iron, have poor compliance to oral iron or gastrointestinal disorder. The objective was to compare the efficacy of newer drug, inravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) with intravenous iron sucrose.Methods: Group A were given injection FCM and group B were given injection iron sucrose. FCM was given in one or two sittings depending on iron requirement and iron sucrose was given in divided doses. Haemogram was done at baseline and on day 3 and 21 and at 12 weeks. All the observations were tabulated and analysed.Results: The mean rise in haemoglobin values from baseline in the FCM group was 0.20±0.06 at 3rd day, 2.03±0.47 at 3 weeks, 3.86±0.53 at 12 weeks compared to iron sucrose group, which was 0.11±0.08 at 3rd day, 1.51±0.39 at 3 weeks, and 3.22±0.54 at 12 weeks, which was statistically significant and showed that the haemoglobin levels were increased more in FCM group. Target haemoglobin was achieved in 92% women in FCM group and 78% women in iron sucrose group.Conclusions: Women in the FCM group achieved significantly higher haemoglobin level than in iron sucrose group. It was given in fewer sittings, hence was more convenient with better efficacy.