A comparison between intravenous iron polymaltose complex (Ferrum Hausmann) and oral ferrous fumarate in the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy.

Anaemia is the most common medical disorder in pregnancy with iron deficiency anaemia accounting for the majority of cases. Over 90% of the iron deficiency anaemia is due to red cell iron deficiency associated with depleted iron stores and deficient intake. The two main modalities of treating iron deficiency anaemia are oral or parenteral iron. Ferrous Hausmann (iron dextrin) is the latest iron preparation which can be used for intravenous parenteral administration as a total dose infusion. This study compares the efficacy of Ferrum Hausmann with oral ferrous fumarate therapy in the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy. Our study shows that treatment with intravenous Ferrum Hausmann (iron dextrin) resulted in a significantly better level and rate of increase of haemoglobin (p<0.001). Serum ferritin, which is the best indicator of iron stores, was significantly higher (p<0.001) in the intravenous group. Other indices of iron status such as serum iron, serum transferrin and zinc protoporphyrin also showed a significant improvement in the intravenous group compared to those given oral iron. The results suggest that intravenous iron as a total dose infusion is able to replenish iron stores more efficiently, completely and at a faster rate than oral iron therapy, thus providing the fuel for stimulation of full erythopoiesis compared to oral iron. There were also no reports of any adverse reactions with intravenous iron dextrin, whereas there were a considerable proportion of women on oral iron therapy who reported side effects. In conclusion, intravenous iron therapy with Ferrous Hausmann (iron dextrin) is a suitable, effective and safe alternative to oral iron therapy in the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy.