Study of intravenous ferric carboxy maltose in iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy and post-partum period-safety and efficacy

Iron deficiency is common among women of childbearing age in both the developed and developing countries. Intravenous Ferric carboxy maltose (FCM) is a novel molecule which can be safely administered in a single dose as large as 1000mg in as little as 15 minutes with no significant adverse effects.

A hospital based prospective study included 39 antenatal women >20–36 weeks gestation and 119 postpartum women with documented iron deficiency anemia. Intravenous Ferric carboxy maltose (FCM) was administered and improvement in hemoglobin and iron stores was assessed after 3 weeks. Safety of intravenous FCM was also assessed during the study.

There was a significant improvement in hemoglobin over a period of 3 weeks from mean Hb 8.97±1.05 gm/dL to 11.34±0.90 gm/dL with p value <0.001 which was statistically significant. There was also a significant improvement in serum ferritin levels with p value <0.001. No serious adverse effects of FCM were noted in this study.

Intravenous FCM is effective in treatment of iron deficiency anemia without significant adverse effects in pregnancy after first trimester and during post-partum period. FCM should be offered to all women with IDA to minimize maternal morbidity & mortality.