IJFANS International Journal of Food and Nutritional Sciences

ISSN PRINT 2319 1775 Online 2320-7876

A Comparison of the Efficacy, Tolerability and Compliance of Ferrous Ascorbate and Carbonyl Iron With Ferrous Fumarate in Pregnant Women

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Dr. Jyotsna Sharma1*, Dr. Shaktibala Dutta2 , Dr. Vaishali Lote3

Abstract

Background: Iron insufficiency is the most prevalent single dietary deficiency in the world,1 impacting over one-third (over 2 billion) of the global population. 2 Pregnant women are particularly susceptible to iron shortage and iron-deficiency anaemia due to their increased iron requirements. In impoverished countries, the prevalence of iron-deficiency anaemia in pregnant women is reported to range from 35 to 75% (mean: 56%), but in affluent nations, the prevalence averages 18%. 3, 4 The frequency is extremely high in Central Asia, with India reporting a rate of 87%. An estimated 90 percent of anaemia occurrences in India are attributed to iron deficiency. Aim’s & Objectives: To study and compare the effect of different iron preparations on hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels in pregnant women attending antenatal clinic. Methods & Materials: The protocol for the study was submitted to the Institutional Ethics Committee (I.E.C.) and approval was sought. After getting approval from concerned authorities, the study was conducted over 120 pregnant women in age group of 18-35 years, attending the antenatal clinic of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Santosh Medical College and Hospital, Ghaziabad. The study was conducted over a period of one year, from 11 Aug to 12 July. Results: A significantly higher compliance of 73% was reported with Ferrous ascorbate when compared with that of 61.7% with Ferrous fumarate and 55.4% with Carbonyl iron. The overall incidence of adverse effect with use of oral iron preparations was 54.4%. The maximum incidence was observed in Carbonyl iron group (61.5%) followed by 57.6% in Ferrous fumarate group and 45.2% in Ferrous ascorbate group and these differences were statistically significant. Conclusion: The current study was undertaken to assess efficacy, tolerability and compliance of three iron preparations, Ferrous fumarate, Ferrous ascorbate and Carbonyl iron. Ferrous fumarate is a conventional and inexpensive iron preparation. Ferrous ascorbate and Carbonyl iron are two newer preparations, claimed to be more efficacious and having superior tolerability profile as compared to conventional iron preparations, Ferrous sulphate and Ferrous fumarate.

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