EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF FERRIC CARBOXYMALTOSE (FCM) IN MODERATE TO SEVERE IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA IN PREGNANCY (IDA)

Background: Iron deficiency anemia is indeed a significant health issue in underdeveloped nations like Pakistan. According to recent statistics its prevalence is 45% in Pakistan. WHO states that every fifth woman is suffering from this condition in Pakistan. Objective: To determine the efficacy and safety of ferric carboxymaltose in moderate to severe iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy. Methodology: After IRB and written informed consent from the patients this prospective study was conducted in Gynae department of Sahiwal teaching hospital, Sahiwal from 15-02-2024 to 15-08-2024. Eighty one women with singleton pregnancy of gestational age > 20 weeks with moderate to severe anemia were included. FCM was transfused. All the patients were evaluated after four weeks for the efficacy and safety of FCM. Results: The mean Hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels before treatment were 7.74 ± 0.89 g/dl and 11.87 ± 3.34 µg/l and after treatment were 12.67 ± 2.49 g/dl and 18.97 ± 2.77 µg/l respectively. Efficacy along with safety of ferric carboxymaltose in moderate to severe anemia was found to be 95.06% and 96.30% respectively. Conclusion: A substantial increase in Hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels four weeks after transfusion of FCM was achieved as compared to baseline values. The current study concluded that efficacy as well as safety of ferric carboxymaltose in moderate to severe anemia is very high.