Effect of intravenous iron sucrose on hemoglobin level, when administered in a standard-dose, to anemic pregnant women in rural Northern India.

Introduction: To combat anemia among pregnant women, in Haryana, Northern India, administration of intravenous iron sucrose (IVIS) was initiated in 2014 as a public-health measure. We assessed the effect of IVIS on hemoglobin (Hb) levels among the pregnant anemic women.

Methods: Pregnant women identified as moderately or severely anemic (Hb <10.0 g/dL) in the second or third trimester during routine antenatal care were prescribed IVIS in a standard-dose of 400 mg given as 100 mg on alternate days. Neither dose calculation, nor allowance for iron-store, was included in this study. We analyzed the data collected between June 2014 and December 2015, at the two primary-health-centers, on Hb level (by HemoCue method) before start of the therapy (baseline), and 4-week or more after the last infusion (endline).

Results: A total of 990 women received IVIS. Both baseline and endline Hg-levels were available for 763 (77%), who were included in the analysis. At baseline, the proportion of moderate and severe anemia was 87.94% and 12.06%, respectively. Mean (standard deviation)-Hb increased from 7.85 g/dL (0.80) at baseline, to 9.62 g/dL (1.30) at endline, with a mean increase of 1.76 g/dL (95% confidence interval 1.67, 1.85). The mean increase in Hb-level for pregnant women who had severe and moderate anemia at baseline was 2.54 g/dL and 1.65 g/dL, respectively. Overall, 15.33% of women achieved normal Hb-level by the time of endline measurement. No serious adverse reactions were reported during the observation period.

Conclusion: Mean increase in Hb-level was 1.76 mg/dL. Severely anemic pregnant women had larger increase in Hb-level when compared with pregnant women with moderate anemia.