Comparison of intravenous saccharated iron oxide and whole blood in treatment of hypochromic anemia of pregnancy

Abstract

1.1. A study is presented comparing two commonly used methods of treatment of hypochromic anemia in the pregnant woman.2.2. A general discussion of the metabolism of iron is outlined.3.3. A brief résumé of the present methods of iron replacement in iron-deficiency anemia is presented.4.4. Alternating cases, 50 patients were treated with transfusions of whole blood, and 54 patients with a total of 279 injections treated by administration of intravenous saccharated iron oxide. Hematologic response was comparable but varied with the initial severity of the anemia, being more pronounced in those patients with a more severe iron depletion.5.5. It is noted that the comparison between these two methods of therapy is not a strictly fair one since the actual amount of iron given per patient is less when the patient is treated by transfusion than that given by intravenous elemental iron replacement.6.6. The occurrence of possible side effects and their management are presented.7.7. In view of the possibility of transfusion reaction and the difficulties surrounding the procurement and administration of whole blood, the method of choice of iron replacement in patients refractory to oral therapy was felt to be intravenous iron in divided doses.