Comparative study to evaluate intravenous iron sucrose with oral ferrous sulphate for treatment of anaemia in pregnancy

Background: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of oral iron and intravenous iron in improving haemoglobin in iron deficiency anemia. Methods: This was randomised controlled trial conducted on 100 pregnant women who attended Gynaecology & Obstetrics OPD for antenatal check-up in June 2019 to May 2020 in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Hindu Rao Hospital and associated NDMC Medical College, New Delhi. All pregnant women at gestation age 20 to 32 weeks with confirmed diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia were divided into two groups. In the group A, oral iron was given and in the group B, intravenous iron sucrose was given in divided doses. Haemoglobin was checked after 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 6 weeks. For both groups paired sample test is applied and comparison (in term of rise in haemoglobin from pre to post) of both groups was found to be significant. The results were analyzed by student’s t-test and chi-square test. Results: Haemoglobin values were found to be increased in both the groups at 2nd 4th and 6th weeks. When both the groups were compared the rise in the values was higher in the IV iron sucrose group 1.6gm than oral iron 0.8gm after two weeks of treatment. Conclusions: Intravenous iron sucrose treated iron deficiency anemia of pregnancy faster and more effectively than oral iron without serious side effects.