Pregnancy complicated by iron deficiency anemia: does the problem have a solution?

Abstract

Introduction. The problem of iron deficiency anemia by pregnant women remains relevant due to the wide spread of this complication (up to 40%) and requires the search for effective drugs with a minimum number of side effects.Aim. To improve perinatal outcomes in patients with iron deficiency anemia.Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis was done for 2020 of the medical records of patients, including an exchange card and birth histories. The patients were selected by a continuous sampling method. The study was conducted at the clinical base of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology with the course of perinatology of the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (Head of the Department, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor V.E. Radzinsky). All the patients (n = 114) were divided into three groups: the first group (n = 54) – a study group, which included pregnant women who had iron deficiency anemia in the II or III trimesters and received antianemic treatment; the second group (n = 30) – pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia (diagnosed in the 2nd trimester) who did not take iron supplements, the third group (n = 30) – a control group of women with normal hemoglobin levels during pregnancy and delivery.Results. The use of ferrous sulfate (Sorbifer durules) at a dose of 200 mg per day by pregnant women with IDA led to the fact that the weight-height parameters in newborns did not differ from those of children from healthy puerperas. At the same time, the volume of blood loss was greater in patients with IDA, however, there were no massive bleedings and moderate IDA in the postpartum period. The level of hemoglobin was significantly higher in women in labor who received ferrous sulfate (Sorbifer Durules) from the II trimester compared with pregnant women who had IDA in the III trimester. Thus, further research and the search for optimal dosages are required, as well as determining the most effective period for the use of iron supplements.Conclusions. Good tolerability and high efficacy of Sorbifer Durules in relation to a significant increase in hemoglobin and the absence of severe complications of pregnancy and childbirth associated with anemia allow us to recommend it for the treatment of IDA in pregnant women and puerperas.