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Comparison of the efficacy of iron amino acid chelate and ferrous sulfate in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia among pregnant women seen at the out-patient department of a tertiary medical center on 2016-2017

Ma. Agnes A. Santiago, RMT, MD, Lylah D. Reyes, MD, FPOGS, MSc and Joseph U. Olivar, MD, FPOGS, FPSMFM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Far Eastern University-Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation

Background: Anemia is a major global problem that affects women and prevalent during pregnancy. Effective management is needed to prevent adverse maternal and pregnancy outcomes. Ferrous iron salts are the preparation of choice and recommended for both prevention and treatment of iron deficiency anemia (IDA). However, most commonly available iron supplement are poorly absorbed, with gastrointestinal disturbances as side effect.
Objective: To compare the efficacy of iron amino acid chelate and ferrous sulfate in the treatment of IDA among pregnant women seen at the out-patient department of a tertiary medical center.
Methodology: This study is a single blind randomized clinical trial which included women 18 to 40 years old, with singleton pregnancies diagnosed with IDA without any co-existing fetal and maternal complications seen at the OutPatient Department. Forty eight eligible participants were randomized, with 24 women allocated on each treatment arm who took their assigned treatment twice a day for 90 days. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCHC, MCV, RDW & serum ferritin levels were taken at baseline and monitored on days 30, 60 and 90 from initiation of treatment. Mean blood parameters between two treatment arms were compared on days 30, 60 and 90 post-treatment as well as the mean difference of blood parameters on days post-treatment from the baseline using T-test. Chi-square was used to compare adverse effects between two treatment arms.
Results: No statistically significant differences in the mean blood parameters on days 30 and 60 of treatment between Iron amino acid chelate and Ferrous sulfate. It was only on day 90 from initiation of treatment when there were a significantly higher hematocrit and MCHC and lower RDW in Iron amino acid chelate compared to Ferrous sulfate group. All of the CBC parameters on days 30, 60, and 90 post-treatment when compared to baseline level were significantly increased for both treatment arms. However, day 90 level of serum ferritin in the Iron amino acid chelate group significantly increased unlike those in ferrous sulfate group.
Conclusion: Iron amino acid chelate is comparable to Ferrous sulfate in the treatment of IDA among pregnant women. Iron amino acid chelate was found to be superior to Ferrous sulfate in achieving optimum treatment response even at a lower dose with lesser adverse effects. Hence, better oral iron treatment tolerability, thereby, compliance to long-term therapy can be expected resulting to successful treatment outcome.

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