Iron Polymaltose Complex in the Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pregnancy

Iron deficiency anaemia is a major public health problem in pregnancy. About 58% of pregnant women in developed countries are anaemic mainly due to iron deficiency resulting a serious negative consequences on children, mothers and eventually on the nation. This quasi-experimental multi centered study (Before after study) was done to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of Iron Polymaltose Complex (IPC) in the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia and it was performed at the OPD of Bangladesh Medical College and two other clinics of Dhaka city from August 2011 to September 2013. A total of 80 (eighty) subjects were selected by purposive sampling as per inclusion and exclusion criteria. They were treated by Iron Polymaltose-IPC [47mg elemental iron + Folic Acid 0.5mg + Zinc 22.5mg - Once daily orally for 12 weeks]. At the beginning and after 12 weeks of intervention by Iron Polymaltose Complex (IPC) Hb%, Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH), Serum iron, and Serum ferritin were measured. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 13.0. Paired and unpaired 't' test was used to analyze differences within groups and between groups. Chi-square test was done to analyze primary efficacy parameters and adverse drug reactions (ADR). Most of the respondents were within the age group of 18-23 and 30-35 years (32.6% each). Significant differences were found by treatment with IPC for 12 weeks in Hb%, PCV, MCV, MCH, Serum iron, and Serum ferritin level. In iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy IPC may be used as a safe and cost-effective therapeutic management.