The following is a summary of “Ferric Carboxymaltose in the Management of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pregnancy: A Subgroup Analysis of a Multicenter Real-World Study Involving 1191 Pregnant Women” published in November 2022 issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology by Trivedi, et al.
The evidence on the safety and efficacy of the infusion of ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) in Indian pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) seems to lack. The safety and efficacy of IV FCM in Indian pregnant women with IDA in 4 weeks seem to be a reality.
For a study, the subgroup analysis of the previous research conducted the data on hematological and demographic parameters, patient-reported adverse events, and safety and efficacy analysis at 4 ± 1 week.
In about 1,191 pregnant women of whom, IV FCM resulted in a significant increase in serum ferritin by 30.03 μg/L at 4 weeks (P< 0.001 for both) and an increase in hemoglobin (Hb) 2.8 g/dL.
There has been an increase in serum ferritin by Hb by 16.96 μg/L (P=0.12) and an increase in Hb by 3.6g/dL (P<0.001) in 103 pregnant women.
In the case of the 978 pregnant women who had moderate IDA, there as been a significant improvement in serum ferritin and Hb by 33 μg/L and 2.74 g/dL (P < 0.001 for both), respectively.
A significant increase in the red blood cell counts, hematocrit, means the corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (P < 0.001 for all). When we talk about pregnant women with mild IDA (n=26), Hb tends to increase by 1.99 g/dL (P < 0.001).
Adverse effects of about 8.6% of pregnant women were reported. No serious adverse effects or safety signals were observed. On the basis of the physicians’ global assessment, the safety and efficacy of IV FCM were noted in 98.6% and 99.2% of pregnant women.
The use of IV FCM corrected the anemia in less than 4 weeks with favorable safety in second and third trimesters of pregnancy with the severeties of IDA viz. mild, moderate, and severe. The physicians’ favorable global assessment of the FCM’s safety and pregnancy in pregnant women with IDA supports its use in daily clinical practice.
Reference: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36479303/
