European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Anemia is a major public health problem worldwide, causing an unfavorable status in respect to upcoming pregnancy. About 20-50% world’s population is anemic among them the most common risk factor is pregnancy.
Material and Methods: All pregnant women suffered from iron deficiency anemia with hemoglobulin level 6-10 gm/dl and gestational age 16-32 were included in this study.Total 300 antenatal patients were involved in this study. All women attending antenatal OPD were screened for anemia. All women attending antenatal clinic were screened for anemia between 16-32 weeks of gestation. All participants were subjected to thorough history followed by clinical examination blood investigations such as complete blood count, peripheral blood smear, serum ferritin values, liver and renal function tests, stool examinations for worm infestations and occult blood loss of all cases were carried out and antenatal investigations as per our institution protocol were undertaken. The cases were randomly divided into two groups of 150 each. Oral Group: was given oral iron tablets containing 100 mg of elemental iron and 500 microgram folic acid daily throughout pregnancy. Intravenous Group: was given a 100 mg of elemental iron as iron sucrose. The formula used for calculation of total required IV elemental iron in the form of iron sucrose, that is, Total iron dose required (mg) = 2.4 x weight in kg x (target Hb – actual Hb of patient) g/dl + 500.¹⁷ The total calculated TDI was administered within three consecutive days, up to a maximum of 500 mg per day infusion in 500 ml of normal saline over a period of three to four hours. The infusion was given under supervision to avoid any untoward side effects. Any minor or major side effects were documented.