• C Giannoulis, A Daniilidis, T Tantanasis, K Dinas, and J Tzafettas.
• 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokratio General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
• Hippokratia. 2009 Jan 1; 13 (1): 384038-40.

BackgroundTo compare the efficacy of oral and intravenous administration of iron supplements for treating postpartum anemia.MethodsOne hundred and four anemic postpartum women were studied prospectively. The criteria for the diagnosis of anemia were Hb<8 gr/dl and ferritine<10 microg/dl. They were randomised into two groups. Group A consisted of 78 women who received i.v. a total amount of 300 mg iron sucrose in three days. Group B consisted of 26 women, who received orally 800 mg iron proteinsuccinylate daily for four weeks.ResultsAt the end of the study, in group A the increase of Hb mean level was 4.6 gr/dl and of ferritin mean level was 105 mg/L. In group B the increase in hemoglobin mean level was 2.3 gr/dl and ferritin mean level was 68 mg/L. There was significant difference in the increase of hemoglobin level (p=0.0001) and also in the increase in ferritin level (p=0.0004) between the two groups.ConclusionIntravenous administration of iron sucrose seems to be safe and it helps postpartum women to recover early from anemia.

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