Parenteral iron therapy for anaemia in pregnancy: ferric carboxy maltose versus iron sucrose

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness and safety of intravenous ferric carboxy maltose (FCM) with intravenous iron sucrose (ISC) in pregnant women with Iron deficiency anaemia. Materials and methods: Pregnant women between 16 to 36 weeks period of gestation and fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled and divided to receive either FCM or iron sucrose. A baseline complete haemogram and serum ferritin was done. Patients were monitored for maternal vitals and fetal heart during infusion and side effects were noted. Women were followed up till delivery. A complete haemogram was repeated at 3 weeks, 6 weeks and 12 weeks to note the rise in haemoglobin and serum ferritin levels. Any serious adverse effects were noted during the antenatal visits and maternal and fetal outcomes were noted. Results: The rise in mean haemoglobin in the FCM group is 3.2 g/dl and 2.2 g/dl in the iron sucrose group at 12 weeks. The p-value is < 0.05 in both groups. The number of doses required to achieve the target haemoglobin was significantly less in the FCM group. No major adverse effects were noted. Minor side effects were reported in both groups but were significantly less in the FCM group. Conclusions: Ferric carboxy maltose is associated with a faster rise in haemoglobin levels and a significant rise in serum ferritin levels.