Iron deficiencyanemia and pregnancy: Treatment options

Introduction . The choice of medications for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in a pregnant woman is based on therapeutic efficacy and safety, forming a high patient compliance to long-term therapy Aim . To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy, clinical tolerance and safety of using a medication based on iron sulfate and ascorbic acid in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women Materials and methods . The study included 155 women diagnosed with IDA: twenty-four pregnant women in the first trimester (group 1), forty-five pregnant women in the second trimester (group 2), and eighty-six patients in the third trimester (group 3). Antianemic therapy was administered to all pregnant women with Sorbifer Durules (iron sulfate 100 mg of iron sulfate and 60 mg of ascorbic acid) 100 mg two times per day for a long time until normalization of hematological parameters and improvement of the clinical symptoms with a transition to 100 mg per day until delivery for the purpose of preventing IDA. Results. The gestational age included in the observation were 10.6 (1.6), 20.2 (2.6) and 30.9 (2.6) weeks. When analyzing hematological parameters changes in 1 month after the start of therapy, there was positive dynamic which revealed the increase in hemoglobin levels by 5.4 g/l and 7.2 g/l in patients of groups 1 and 2, respectively (p < 0.05), with a continuing tendency to increase at 37.1 ± 1.1 weeks by 10.3 g/l and 9.7 g/l (p < 0.05). It was noted that there was a decrease in the number of patients with IDA in group 1to 20.8%, which is 1.5 and 2.1 times lower compared to groups 2 and 3 (p = 0.03). Adverse reactions when taking Sorbifer Durules were registered in 3.2% of pregnant women, there were no clinical situations requiring discontinuation of the medication. Conclusion. The combination of iron sulfate and ascorbic acid in a prolonged release formula (Sorbifer Durules) is a well-tolerated and effective treatment option of IDA at any stage of pregnancy.