Role of ferric carboxymaltose in the treatment of postpartum anemia in a tertiary care hospital in Andhra Pradesh

Background: Postpartum iron deficiency anemia is common in India as a consequence of postpartum hemorrhage. Recent studies have evaluated the use of parenteral iron as a better tolerated treatment modality. Compared with oral iron supplements, parenteral iron is associated with a rapid rise in serum ferritin and hemoglobin and improved maternal fatigue scores in the postpartum period. Parenteral iron may be considered for the treatment of postpartum anemia. The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose, in women with postpartum anemia.Methods: A clinical observational study was undertaken in a tertiary care hospital, 50 women within six weeks of delivery with Hb ≥6 gm/dl and ≤10 gm/dl received 1000 mg/week, over 15 minutes or less, repeated weekly to a calculated replacement dose (maximum 2500 mg) . Hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels were recorded prior to treatment and on day 21 after completion of treatment.Results: Ferric carboxymaltose-treated subjects achieved a hemoglobin greater than 12 gm/dL in a short time period (21 days), achieve a hemoglobin rise of ≥3 gm/dL more quickly, and attain higher serum ferritin levels. It is also associated with better patient compliance, and shorter treatment period. Drug-related adverse events occurred less frequently with ferric carboxymaltose. The only noted disadvantage was that it is more expensive when compared to other iron preperations.Conclusions: Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose was safe and well tolerated with good efficacy and better patient compliance in the treatment of postpartum iron deficiency anemia.