• M F Perelló, J L Coloma, N Masoller, J Esteve, and M Palacio.
• Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
• BJOG. 2014 May 1;121(6):706-13.

ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of intravenous iron versus placebo added to standard oral iron therapy in the treatment of severe postpartum anaemia.DesignA randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed in a single centre.SettingHospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.PopulationA cohort of 72 women with severe postpartum anaemia (6.0-8.0 g/dl) treated with oral ferrous sulphate (two tablets of 525 mg).MethodsWomen were randomised to receive either intravenous ferrous sucrose (200 mg/24 hours for two consecutive days) or intravenous placebo, in addition to standard iron therapy. Clinical and laboratory data were obtained at 1, 2, and 6 weeks.Main Outcome MeasuresHaemoglobin and haematocrit at 1, 2, and 6 weeks. Other haematological and clinical parameters, psychological status, and adverse side effects were also evaluated.ResultsHaemoglobin and haematocrit values were comparable in women receiving intravenous iron or placebo in addition to oral iron therapy at any of the time points. At 6 weeks, haemoglobin level (mean ± SD) was 12.2 ± 1.0 versus 12.2 ± 0.9 g/dl, with a mean difference of -0.03 (95% CI -0.6 to 0.6), in the placebo and in the intravenous iron groups, respectively. No differences were found between clinical symptoms of anaemia, psychological status, and adverse side effects between groups.ConclusionsIntravenous iron added to oral iron therapy did not show significant benefits over placebo, neither in haemoglobin rise nor in symptoms or adverse side effects.© 2014 Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

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