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Intravenous Iron in Postpartum Anemia

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Abstract

Objective

To compare effectiveness of intravenous iron–sucrose versus oral ferrous fumarate in postpartum anemia.

Methods

In this study, 40 women with postpartum anemia with hemoglobin (Hb) less than 8 g/dl within 48 h postpartum were randomised into two groups. Group I consisted of 20 women who received 300–600 mg of intravenous iron–sucrose every alternate day for 3 days. Group II consisted of 20 women who were given 300 mg ferrous fumarate orally daily for 14 days.

Results

On day 14, the increase in mean Hb level in group I was 2.4 g/dl in comparison to 1.2 g/dl in group II. Women in group I had significantly higher mean Hb values on days 7 and 14 (p < 0.001) than women in group II.

Conclusion

These results suggest that intravenous iron–sucrose increases the Hb level more rapidly than oral ferrous fumarate in postpartum anemia without any serious side effects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of O&G, Govt. Medical College, Haldwani, Rampur Road, Haldwani, Uttarakhand, India

    Geeta Jain (Associate Professor)

  2. Department of Anaesthesia, Govt. Medical College, Haldwani, Rampur Road, Haldwani, Uttarakhand, India

    Urmila Palaria (Associate Professor)

  3. Department of PSM, Govt. Medical College, Haldwani, Rampur Road, Haldwani, Uttarakhand, India

    S. K. Jha (Assistant Professor)

Authors
  1. Geeta Jain
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  2. Urmila Palaria
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  3. S. K. Jha
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Geeta Jain.

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Jain, G., Palaria, U. & Jha, S.K. Intravenous Iron in Postpartum Anemia. J Obstet Gynecol India 63, 45–48 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-012-0240-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-012-0240-y

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