Total infusion of low molecular weight iron-dextran for treating postpartum anemia

135 puerperal women with iron deficiency anemia participated in our prospective randomized controlled trial in order to investigate alternative treatments to blood transfusion for anemia.

The criteria for the diagnosis of anemia were Hb < 8 g/dl and ferritine < 10 microg/dl. Women were randomly separated in two groups, A and B. Women of group A (n = 109 women) received a total amount of 1000 mg low molecular weight (LMW) iron-dextran intravenously in two doses. Group B (n = 26) was the control group. They received orally 800 mg daily for 30 days of iron protein-succinylate. Three weeks later women of both groups underwent a full blood count analysis.

Hemoglobin and ferritin levels increased significantly in group A compared to group B (p < 0.0001). No adverse side-effects due to the treatment were noted in either group.

It seems that total iron-dextran infusion is a safe and rapid therapy of iron-deficiency postpartum anemia increases the Hb level more rapidly than oral ferrous sulfate, and it also appears to replenish iron stores more rapidly.