Oral Lactoferrin versus Ferrous Sulfate for the Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia during Second Trimester among Egyptian ladies

Abstract

Abstract Background Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a major public health problem in Egypt, especially among pregnant women. The most commonly used treatment is oral administration of iron as ferrous sulfate which often fails to exert significant effects with many adverse effects. Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein which belongs to proteins capable of binding and transferring iron. This study was done to evaluate the effectiveness, safety and acceptability of lactoferrin in comparison to ferrous sulfate. Methods This randomized clinical trial was conducted in outpatient clinic under supervision of department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt from August 2019 to February 2020. 140 women with iron deficiency anemia in second trimester were recruited and randomly assigned to either group. First group received lactoferrin 200 mg sachets once daily and second group received 100 mg of dried ferrous sulfate capsules twice daily for 4 consecutive weeks. Hemoglobin, hematocrit levels, mean corpuscular volume, and serum ferritin were assessed before and after therapy. Results The increase in haemoglobin was significantly higher in lactoferrin group. Number of cases achieved Hb level ≥10.5 was significantly more frequent in lactoferrin group. Compliance was significantly more frequent in lactoferrin group than in ferrous sulfate group. Maternal side effects were significantly less frequent in lactoferrin group than in ferrous sulfate group. Conclusion Oral lactoferrin is well tolerated and effective as compared to traditional treatment by ferrous sulfate.