Abstract
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy, safety, and rate of response of intravenous iron sucrose and intramuscular iron sorbitol therapy for anemia during pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 100 antenatal cases of gestational age 14-32 weeks were included in this prospective study. Cases were randomly divided into two groups. Group A, having 50 cases received intravenous iron sucrose, and 50 cases in Group B received intramuscular iron sorbitol. Response to therapy in both groups was studied and compared. RESULTS: The mean pretherapy hemoglobin in group A was 6.49 gm/dl and in group B was 6.48 gm/dl. The rise in hemoglobin after 4 weeks of starting therapy was 3.52 gm/dl in group A and 2.33 gm/dl in group B. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). The mean time taken to achieve target hemoglobin (≥11 gm/dl) was 6.37 weeks in group A and 9.04 weeks in group B. In group A, 8 % (four) cases had grade I adverse effects. In group B, 24 % (12) cases had grade I adverse effects. The difference was statistically significant (P = 0.027). In both the groups, no case discontinued the therapy. CONCLUSION: Intravenous iron sucrose is safe, convenient, more effective, and faster acting therapy than intramuscular iron sorbitol therapy for treating moderate to severe anemia during pregnancy.