Comparative evaluation of efficacy of ferrous ascorbate and ferrous calcium citrate prepared in multidrug delivery system on haemoglobin status in anaemic pregnant women

L J Kiran

doi:10.51131/ijpccr/v1i1.3

Abstract

Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), the most prevalent nutritional deficiency leading to mortality globally. Oral ferrous salts are effectively used to treat iron deficiency in pregnancy. For the present study, no direct comparison demonstrating the efficacy of ferrous ascorbate and ferrous calcium citrate was considered. An open-label, observational study was designed and conducted for two months. Subjects were randomly allocated to two groups (Group A and Group B). The medication followed in Group A was, ferrous calcium citrate with elemental iron 50 mg; In Group B ferrous ascorbate containing elemental iron 100 mg orally for two months at bedtime. Haemoglobin levels, other hematological parameters, weight changes, side effects, conjunctival colour and general wellbeing were assessed in every visit (i.e. 0, 30th and 60th day) for clinical efficacy assessment. There was an increase in the mean serum haemoglobin and ferritin levels (p<0.05). In Group A and Group B, the mean values of all the assessment parameters increased significantly (p<0.05) in follow-up visits (i.e. 1st month and 2nd month) when compared to baseline values. Out of 69 adverse drug events, 29 (42%) were reported from Group A and 40 (58%) from Group B. Ferrous calcium citrate showed considerable efficacy and safety profiles. Keywords: Iron deficiency; anaemia; haemoglobin; ferrous calcium citrate; ferrous ascorbate

Highlights

Anaemia is a common medical disorder that contributes significantly to maternal morbidity and mortality, intrauterine growth retardation, preterm delivery and perinatal morbidity and mortality. [1,2,3] The prevalence of anaemia ranges from 33% to 89% among pregnant women with wide variations in different regions of the country. [4] In India ≥ 90% of anaemia cases are estimated to be due to iron deficiency because high iron requirements during pregnancy are not fulfilled by dietary intake, especially when bioavailability of iron is poor. [5,6,7]Nutritional iron deficiency is highest in population segments that are at a peak rate of growth, namely, infants, young children and pregnant women
Pregnancy is a time in which the risk for developing iron deficiency anaemia is highest because iron requirements are substantially greater than average absorbable iron intakes
The present comparative efficacy evaluation of ferrous ascorbate and ferrous calcium citrate study was undertaken considering the fact that there is no direct comparison demonstrating the efficacy of ferrous ascorbate and ferrous calcium citrate

Summary

Introduction

Anaemia is a common medical disorder that contributes significantly to maternal morbidity and mortality, intrauterine growth retardation, preterm delivery and perinatal morbidity and mortality. [1,2,3] The prevalence of anaemia ranges from 33% to 89% among pregnant women with wide variations in different regions of the country. [4] In India ≥ 90% of anaemia cases are estimated to be due to iron deficiency because high iron requirements during pregnancy are not fulfilled by dietary intake, especially when bioavailability of iron is poor. [5,6,7]Nutritional iron deficiency is highest in population segments that are at a peak rate of growth, namely, infants, young children and pregnant women. [1,2,3] The prevalence of anaemia ranges from 33% to 89% among pregnant women with wide variations in different regions of the country. [4] In India ≥ 90% of anaemia cases are estimated to be due to iron deficiency because high iron requirements during pregnancy are not fulfilled by dietary intake, especially when bioavailability of iron is poor. Nutritional iron deficiency is highest in population segments that are at a peak rate of growth, namely, infants, young children and pregnant women. Pregnancy is a time in which the risk for developing iron deficiency anaemia is highest because iron requirements are substantially greater than average absorbable iron intakes. Ferrous ascorbate is one of the most common iron preparations used in pregnancy. The present comparative efficacy evaluation of ferrous ascorbate and ferrous calcium citrate study was undertaken considering the fact that there is no direct comparison demonstrating the efficacy of ferrous ascorbate and ferrous calcium citrate

Methods

Results

Conclusion