Intravenous Versus Oral Iron in Late Pregnancy: Results of Treatment

In the O-group, women had to take 3 ferrous fumarate tablets (Ferli-6®) everyday with a total of 200 mg of elemental iron per day from 33 weeks gestation until delivery. Emphasizing and monitoring for compliance to the treatment protocol were carried out.

Women in the IV-group received 500 mg iron sucrose (Venofer®, Vifor International AG, St. Gallen, Switzerland) divided into three weekly administrations. Two doses of 200 mg iron sucrose were given at 33 and 34 weeks gestation while the remaining (100 mg) was infused at gestation of 35 weeks. Thereafter, women in this group received no further iron therapy until delivery. In preparation, 200 mg of iron sucrose was diluted into 100 ml of 0.9% saline solution.