ACTA FAC MED NAISS 2012;29(2):59-68

Original article

UDC: 618.14-005.1:616.155.194

DOI:10.2478/v10283-012-0009-3

Efficacy of Intravenous Administration of Iron Sucrose for Treatment

of Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Patients With Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

Nirmala Jaget Lakkawar, Santoshi Sankaran, Thirupurasundari Rangaswamy

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Aarupadai Veedu Medical College & Hospital, Kirumampakkam, Puducherry - 607402, INDIA


sUMMARY

Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is the most common nutritional disorder in the world and is more prevalent among the female population in developing countries compared to developed countries. IDA in India accounts for more than 51% among the adult women population. This condition in females with gynaecological ailments not only delays the elective surgical procedures, but also increases the morbidity in patients. Depending on the available resources, the most common method of diagnosing IDA in individuals involves determining the blood haemoglobin and/or haematocrit levels. Among the red cell indices, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin are the two most sensitive indices of iron deficiency. The traditional choice of treatment for IDA involves administration of iron supplements to the patients. The oral therapy is time-consuming and probably not enough in severe cases of anemia. Parenteral injections of iron-dextran/sorbitol complex have its own limitations and disadvantages. Blood transfusion is the last resort, but involves the risk of cross reactions and viral infections. Considering the advantages and limitations of the available options, intravenous iron sucrose therapy has been reported to be safe, convenient more effective than intramuscular or intravenous iron-dextran/sorbitol complex in treatment for iron deficiency anaemia. The present study encompasses the efficacy and safety of intravenous administration of iron sucrose in the management of iron deficiency anaemia in patients with various gynaecological ailments. The study concludes that iron sucrose complex can be considered as a “first choice” in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in preoperative patients and provides a safe as well as effective alternative to blood transfusion.

Key words: gynaecological ailments, iron deficiency anemia, haematological parameters, iron sucrose complex