Oral Versus Parenteral Therapy to Improve the Hemoglobin Level Among Antenatal Women with Iron Deficiency Anemia

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of oral versus parenteral medication in improving Hb levels in pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia.

Methods: This study was done among antenatal women with “Iron deficiency anemia”. A total sample size of 200 females were selected in this study and divided randomly into 2 groups: Group-A was given 240 mg elemental iron as ferrous sulphate for 8 weeks. Group B was given parenteral iron at the same interval as in Group A.

Results: After Iron supplementation, the Hemoglobin concentration was improved in both the groups (statistically significant). Group A had lower increase of hemoglobin concentration in comparison to Group B. No significant association was seen between age and gestational age of women and percentage increase in Hemoglobin in both the groups. Almost 1/3^rd of the subjects of both groups experienced constipation as a side effect.

Conclusion: We found that “the parenteral iron therapy in the form of iron sucrose was better choice to reduce iron deficiency anemia as compared to oral therapy. Early supplementation will help to decrease the risk of blood transfusion during the peripartum period”.