Iron Supplementation in Twin Pregnancy - The Benefit of Doubling the Iron Dose in Iron Deficient Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Twin Res Hum Genet 2017;
20:419-424. [PMID:
28829001 DOI:
10.1017/thg.2017.43]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of doubling the daily dose of iron supplement in iron-deficient women with twin pregnancies.
STUDY DESIGN
Using a prospective randomized controlled trial, iron-deficient women with twin gestations were randomized to receive a single or a double dose of daily iron from 16 weeks of gestation until 6 weeks postpartum. The primary outcome was hemoglobin at 32 weeks. Secondary outcomes included ferritin at 32 weeks, hemoglobin during pregnancy and postpartum, birth weights, preterm birth rate, gastrointestinal side effects, intravenous iron administration, and compliance with treatment.
RESULTS
Eighty-five and 87 women were randomized to receive one capsule (group A) or two capsules (group B) of 34 mg of ferrous sulfate, respectively. Mean hemoglobin (9.6 g/dL and 9.7 g/dL) and ferritin (8.6 ng/ml and 8.5 ng/ml) were similar in both groups A and B, respectively, at allocation. Hemoglobin in group B was significantly higher from 32 weeks onward, until 6 weeks postpartum. There were no significant differences in any of the secondary outcomes examined.
CONCLUSIONS
In twin pregnancies complicated by iron deficiency anemia, doubling the dose of iron increases hemoglobin and ferritin without worsening gastrointestinal side effects.
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