Intravenous Iron Supplementation in Pregnancy: A Quality Improvement Project on Maternal Transfusion Reduction [ID 2683469

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Intravenous (IV) iron supplementation for patients with iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy has been shown to improve hemoglobin (Hb) levels in the peripartum period and ultimately lead to a decrease in severe maternal morbidity (SMM), specifically blood transfusion. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of IV iron supplementation on maternal pre-delivery Hb levels after the implementation of an institution-based protocol focused on maternal red blood cell transfusion reduction. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients who received IVFe supplementation after the implementation of a maternal transfusion reduction bundle at our Level IV maternal care center in 2020. We reviewed changes in maternal Hb pre-infusion and pre-delivery over a 3-year period (2020–2023), along with rates of postpartum blood transfusion. Patients were excluded if they received an antepartum blood transfusion. Maternal demographics, ferritin and Hg levels were compared between the two groups using GraphPad Prism software. RESULTS: Two hundred ninety-five patients met inclusion criteria; most patients were Hispanic (71.9%), had Medicaid (51.9%), and underwent a vaginal delivery (76.9%). Mean gestational age at time of infusion was 34.2 weeks (95% CI, 33.7–34.7) The average Hb pre-infusion and pre-delivery were 8.9 (95% CI, 8.8–9.0) and 10.6 (95% CI, 10.4–10.8), respectively. The change in maternal Hb at time of delivery increased by 2 points (P<.0001). Only two patients received a blood transfusion postpartum. CONCLUSION: Implementation of a standardized antenatal IV iron infusion protocol can improve maternal pre-delivery Hb levels and reduce morbidity associated with blood transfusion.