Comparison Between Intravenous Ferric Carboxymaltose and Iron Sucrose for Treating Iron Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy

Anemia remains a prevalent and manageable issue among pregnant women worldwide, contributing to maternal and perinatal mortality. 

A recent study compared the efficacy, safety, and compliance of two intravenous treatments, ferric carboxymaltose, and iron sucrose, for managing iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy.

This randomized prospective study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shri Sathya Sai Medical College, involving 100 pregnant women. Among them, 50 anemic patients received treatment with IV ferric carboxymaltose, while the others received IV iron sucrose. Hemoglobin, packed cell volume, and blood indices were measured before and three weeks after treatment. 

The results revealed that anemia during pregnancy was more prevalent among women aged 20-24 years and was more common in multigravida at 22-28 weeks of gestational age. After three weeks of treatment, the mean increase in hemoglobin levels was 2.34 g/dl for ferric carboxymaltose and 1.32 g/dl for iron sucrose. Additionally, other relevant parameters showed a significant improvement with ferric carboxymaltose compared to iron sucrose.

From the findings, it was inferred that ferric carboxymaltose is an efficient and superior alternative for treating iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy. It demonstrates fewer side effects and offers the added advantage of a single-dose regime, making it a favorable option for managing anemia in pregnant women.

Source: Gopalan U, Mounika M. Indian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Research. 2023;10(2):180–4.