Comparative study of serum ferritin levels after oral supplementation with ferrous sulphate and carbonyl iron in mild iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy

Abstract

Iron supplementation is almost universally recommended during pregnancy to correct or prevent iron deficiency. Iron status can be assessed prepartum by estimating blood hemoglobin concentration, serum iron, serum total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and serum ferritin. This study attempts to know the therapeutic efficacy of the drugs, ferrous sulphate and carbonyl iron, in improving the iron stores to meet the increased demand during pregnancy. A comparative study was done in two groups of 36 pregnant women each. One group was supplemented with ferrous sulphate and the other group with carbonyl iron. The biochemical parameters assessing iron status, serum ferritin, serum iron and serum TIBC along with hemoglobin concentration were estimated before and after supplementation in both groups. Though not statistically significant, an increase was seen in the mean levels of serum ferritin in pregnant women who were supplemented with carbonyl iron compared to those who were supplemented with ferrous sulphate. Therefore, carbonyl iron can be preferred over ferrous sulphate in treating iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy, with added advantages of lesser side effects and shorter duration of therapy, which has been established in earlier studies. © 2010 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Serum iron, serum TIBC, hemoglobin concentration.