Intravenous Ferric Carboxymaltose for the Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy: Effects on Maternal and Fetal Wellbeing—A Multicenter Retrospective Observational Study

<b>Objectives</b>: To assess the impact of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) on fetal and maternal adverse effects in pregnant women diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia (IDA). <b>Methods</b>: This is a multicenter retrospective study on 472 pregnant women diagnosed with moderate to severe IDA undergoing treatment with FCM between 2019 and 2025 at Careggi University Hospital (Florence) and Vittore Buzzi Children Hospital (Milan). Fetal wellbeing was assessed using computerized cardiotocography (cCTG) or ultrasound, based on gestational age at treatment. Maternal side effects were evaluated through clinical evaluation. <b>Results</b>: cCTG was performed in 377/472 patients (80%), with a mean short-term variability of 10.2 ms. Normal cCTG criteria were met in 98.4% of cases; six patients exhibited transient reduced variability, which resolved following intrauterine resuscitation. Ultrasound assessment was performed in 95 patients (20%), revealing no fetal heart rate abnormalities. Maternal side effects occurred in seven patients (1.4%). Hemoglobin concentrations increased by a median of 1.4 g/dL after five weeks, reaching up to 2.8 g/dL in women with a baseline Hb < 8 g/dL. <b>Conclusions</b>: Our findings support the potential safety and efficacy of intravenous FCM for the treatment of IDA during pregnancy, demonstrating low rates of maternal side effects and no adverse fetal heart rate patterns. However, prospective studies are necessary to confirm these results.

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Publication Details

Journal
Nutrients
Published
2025-08-19
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17162670
Primary Topic
Iron Metabolism and Disorders
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Intravenous Ferric Carboxymaltose for the Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy: Effects on Maternal and Fetal Wellbeing—A Multicenter Retrospective Observational Study

Francesca Parisi, Sara Zullino, Felice Petraglia, E. Romani et al.
1 links
Nutrients
Iron Metabolism and Disorders
article

Intravenous Ferric Carboxymaltose for the Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy: Effects on Maternal and Fetal Wellbeing—A Multicenter Retrospective Observational Study

Francesca Parisi, Sara Zullino, Felice Petraglia, E. Romani, Pedro Manuel Juárez Villa, Irene Cetin, Federico Mecacci, Chiara Lubrano, Veronica Bonaldo, A Speciale
article en

Abstract

<b>Objectives</b>: To assess the impact of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) on fetal and maternal adverse effects in pregnant women diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia (IDA). <b>Methods</b>: This is a multicenter retrospective study on 472 pregnant women diagnosed with moderate to severe IDA undergoing treatment with FCM between 2019 and 2025 at Careggi University Hospital (Florence) and Vittore Buzzi Children Hospital (Milan). Fetal wellbeing was assessed using computerized cardiotocography (cCTG) or ultrasound, based on gestational age at treatment. Maternal side effects were evaluated through clinical evaluation. <b>Results</b>: cCTG was performed in 377/472 patients (80%), with a mean short-term variability of 10.2 ms. Normal cCTG criteria were met in 98.4% of cases; six patients exhibited transient reduced variability, which resolved following intrauterine resuscitation. Ultrasound assessment was performed in 95 patients (20%), revealing no fetal heart rate abnormalities. Maternal side effects occurred in seven patients (1.4%). Hemoglobin concentrations increased by a median of 1.4 g/dL after five weeks, reaching up to 2.8 g/dL in women with a baseline Hb < 8 g/dL. <b>Conclusions</b>: Our findings support the potential safety and efficacy of intravenous FCM for the treatment of IDA during pregnancy, demonstrating low rates of maternal side effects and no adverse fetal heart rate patterns. However, prospective studies are necessary to confirm these results.

NutrientsVol. 17(16)
University of Milan (IT), Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico (IT), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (IT), Ospedale dei Bambini Vittore Buzzi (IT), University of Florence (IT)
Università degli Studi di Milano, Ministero della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
Openalex Percentile: Top 74%
Iron Metabolism and Disorders
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