Iron Supplementation in Twin Pregnancy - The Benefit of Doubling the Iron Dose in Iron Deficient Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Study Goal
To determine whether doubling the daily dose of iron supplement improves hemoglobin and ferritin levels in iron-deficient women with twin pregnancies.
Results Summary
Doubling the iron dose significantly increased hemoglobin levels from 32 weeks onward until 6 weeks postpartum, with no significant differences in secondary outcomes or gastrointestinal side effects.
Population
Iron-deficient women with twin pregnancies.
Effective Dosage
34 mg of ferrous sulfate (single or double dose daily).
Duration
From 16 weeks of gestation until 6 weeks postpartum.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
doubling the daily dose of iron supplement | increase | hemoglobin | iron-deficient women with twin pregnancies | - | increases | #1 |
doubling the daily dose of iron supplement | increase | ferritin | iron-deficient women with twin pregnancies | - | increases | #2 |
doubling the daily dose of iron supplement | no change | gastrointestinal side effects | iron-deficient women with twin pregnancies | - | without worsening | #3 |
double dose of daily iron | increase | Hemoglobin | iron-deficient women with twin gestations | - | was significantly higher | #4 |
double dose of daily iron | no change | ferritin at 32 weeks | iron-deficient women with twin gestations | - | no significant differences | #5 |
double dose of daily iron | no change | hemoglobin during pregnancy and postpartum | iron-deficient women with twin gestations | - | no significant differences | #6 |
double dose of daily iron | no change | birth weights | iron-deficient women with twin gestations | - | no significant differences | #7 |
double dose of daily iron | no change | preterm birth rate | iron-deficient women with twin gestations | - | no significant differences | #8 |
double dose of daily iron | no change | gastrointestinal side effects | iron-deficient women with twin gestations | - | no significant differences | #9 |
double dose of daily iron | no change | intravenous iron administration | iron-deficient women with twin gestations | - | no significant differences | #10 |
double dose of daily iron | no change | compliance with treatment | iron-deficient women with twin gestations | - | no significant differences | #11 |
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.