# Clinical Effectiveness and Tolerability of Parenteral Iron Sucrose in the Second- and Third-Trimester Anemia: A Retrospective Record-Based Analysis

## TL;DR

This study shows that intravenous iron sucrose effectively treats anemia in late pregnancy, improving maternal and baby outcomes with minimal side effects.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the real-world clinical effectiveness of intravenous iron sucrose for late-gestation anemia in resource-limited settings.

## Key findings

- Intravenous iron sucrose significantly improved hematologic parameters in six weeks.
- The therapy was well tolerated with no serious adverse reactions reported.
- Improved anemia was linked to better maternal delivery and neonatal outcomes.

## Abstract

Background

Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) is a leading cause of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, particularly in resource-limited settings where nutritional deficits and late antenatal presentation are common. When diagnosed in late gestation, oral iron therapy is often insufficient for timely hematologic correction.

Methods

This retrospective observational study reviewed medical records of 75 pregnant women between 26 and 32 weeks of gestation with hemoglobin <9 g/dL who had received intravenous iron sucrose as part of routine clinical care. Baseline and six-week post-treatment hematologic parameters, along with maternal delivery outcomes and neonatal indicators, were extracted from existing hospital records. Statistical analyses included paired t-tests, chi-square tests, and effect size estimation.

Results

Intravenous iron sucrose produced a substantial and statistically significant improvement in hematologic parameters, with clear correction of microcytic indices by the six-week follow-up. The therapy was well tolerated, with only minor infusion-related events and no serious adverse reactions. Maternal delivery patterns were largely favorable, and neonatal outcomes - including birthweight distribution and need for intensive care - were consistent with improved perinatal stability following effective anemia correction. The observed hematologic improvements were consistent across recorded demographic profiles, reinforcing the reliability of the findings in nutritionally vulnerable populations.

Conclusion

Intravenous iron sucrose provides rapid, clinically meaningful correction of IDA in late pregnancy. No serious adverse events were documented in the available medical records. These findings support its integration into antenatal anemia management, particularly where oral iron is inadequate or poorly tolerated, and highlight its potential to reduce anemia-associated maternal-fetal morbidity. The retrospective design further reflects the real-world clinical effectiveness of iron sucrose in late-gestation anemia.