EFFICACY OF IV VERSUS ORAL IRON IN THE TREATMENT OF IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA DURING PREGNANCY

Abstract

Background: During pregnancy, iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common illness that has a major influence on the health of both the mother and the fetus. Choosing between intravenous (IV) and oral iron supplementation is still a crucial therapeutic issue.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of oral and intravenous iron therapy in treating iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women.

Methods: Over the course of six months, from May 30, 2025, to November 30, 2025, this randomized controlled experiment was carried out at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Doctor Hospital and Medical Center. The research comprised 112 women (56 in each group) with hemoglobin levels less than 11 g/dL who were in their second trimester (gestational age 14–21 weeks). Following admission, patients were divided into two groups at random: A and B. Participants were randomized to either continue daily therapy with oral polysaccharide iron complex (Ironone) or receive a single intravenous dose of ferric carboxymaltose (Feroxyma). For four weeks, women in the oral iron group were given 150 mg capsules of polysaccharide iron complex. Every randomized participant had follow-up appointments, and at the fourth week, the results were evaluated.

Results: Efficacy of IV iron and oral iron therapy showed significant difference between groups. i.e. (71.4% vs. 32.1%, p-value<0.001). The stratified analysis in this study shows IV iron superior across age groups and gestational ages, with particularly strong effects at 14–17 weeks and in nulliparous/multiparous women.

Conclusion: Results of this study clearly demonstrate that both oral and IV iron therapy resulted in improvement in hemoglobin level after 4 weeks of treatment but the improvement in hemoglobin level in IV iron therapy showed significantly higher superiority for treating iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy.