Assessment of efficacy of Parenteral Iron Therapy for Treatment of Moderate to Severe Anemia in Pregnancy

Abstract

Background: Anemia is a condition where the red blood cell number or their oxygen-carrying capacity is insufficient to meet physiologic needs, and is conventionally taken as a hemoglobin (Hb) value that is less than two standard deviation (SD) below the median value for healthy matched population by age, sex, altitude, smoking, and pregnancy status. Intravenous iron is very effective in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia and should be considered when oral iron is ineffective. Aim of the study: To assess efficacy of Parenteral Iron Therapy for Treatment of Moderate to Severe Anemia in Pregnancy. Materials and methods: The present study was conducted in the Department of General Medicine of the Medical institution. For the study, a total of 100 pregnant women diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia were selected. All the pregnant women were given antihelminthic therapy with mebendazole 100 mg twice daily for 3 days. Folicacid were given to all women during the therapy. Baseline investigations including blood (LFT, RFT), Urine (routine, microscopy and culture) and stool examination (ova and cyst) were done. Results: In the present study, a total of 100 pregnant females with iron deficiency anemia were selected. The mean age of the participants was 32.69 years. We observed that significant change was seen in different hematological parameters over the time period of treatment. It was observed that mean Hemoglobin increased from 7.26 g at baseline to 11.26 after 8 weeks. Similar trend was seen for serum iron, TIBC, serum ferritin, reticulocyte count and MCV. Conclusion: Within the limitations of the present study, it can be concluded that parenteral iron therapy provides significantly efficacious treatment for moderate to severe anemic pregnant patients. It should be considered as successful treatment option for IDA in pregnant women.