Iron Supplementation Post-Gastric Bypass
A study aimed to evaluate whether iron supplementation after gastric bypass surgery meets the needs of both sexes. It also examined the potential for iron overload in men when using multivitamin supplements standardized for women. Conducted at a specialized academic outpatient center, the retrospective study spanned up to 36 months post-surgery and included 283 patients (71 men, 130 premenopausal women, and 82 postmenopausal women). The evaluation of iron status was based on serum ferritin concentrations.
Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pregnancy: New Insights
Iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia globally. In the United States, routine screening for iron deficiency anemia occurs at the start of prenatal care, the third trimester, and before birth. Treatment typically involves oral iron supplementation, which can cause gastrointestinal side effects and reduce adherence. New evidence supports early screening before anemia onset and the use of intravenous iron to accelerate treatment. However, more research is needed on the effects of over-supplementation and iron deficiency without anemia to improve treatment protocols.
Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pregnancy: High Prevalence and Health Risks in Developing Countries
Iron deficiency anemia is highly prevalent among pregnant women, particularly in developing countries where rates range from 35-75%, and poses significant health risks, including the potential for congestive heart failure and increased maternal and fetal mortality in severe cases.
Antenatal Anemia Linked to Higher Maternal Morbidity: US Cohort Study
This study aimed to assess the link between antenatally diagnosed anemia and severe maternal morbidity in a large US cohort. Using data from the Consortium on Safe Labor database, which included over 166,000 deliveries, women with antenatal anemia were compared to those without. The analysis revealed that women diagnosed with anemia during pregnancy had higher rates of severe maternal morbidity, neonatal adverse outcomes, and secondary outcomes such as maternal death, transfusion, cesarean delivery, and preterm delivery.
Alternate-Day Iron-Dosing Boosts Absorption in Anemic Women, Study finds
In women with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA), oral iron supplements induce an acute increase in serum hepcidin (SHep) that persists for 24 hours, diminishing iron absorption from subsequent doses given on the same or following day. This study aimed to assess whether alternate-day administration of 100 and 200 mg iron increases iron absorption compared to consecutive-day dosing in women with IDA.
USPSTF: Inconclusive on Iron Supplementation in Pregnancy; Urgent Reassessment Needed
The United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) finds inconclusive evidence for routine iron supplementation in pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia, despite its high prevalence. However, robust studies link early infancy iron deficiency to long-term cognitive deficits. Although the US doesn’t routinely screen infants, UK guidelines advise screening high-risk infants. A study of non-anemic, first-trimester pregnant women found a significant portion iron deficient, suggesting universal screening’s potential benefits, prompting reconsideration of USPSTF recommendations.
Study Challenges Race-Based Anemia Definitions in Pregnancy, Calls for Uniform Guidelines
This study investigated the effectiveness of race-based definitions for antepartum anemia in pregnant women. It focused on different hemoglobin (Hb) treatment thresholds for Black and non-Black women according to American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines. By analyzing a cohort from the University of Pennsylvania, the study found that despite similar antepartum Hb levels, Black women had significantly increased odds of presenting with Hb<11g/dL at delivery compared to non-Black women.
Review Reveals Ferric Maltol as Promising IDA Treatment for IBD and CKD Patients
A comprehensive review of the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of ferric maltol (FM), an oral iron formulation, highlights its utility in treating iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Utilizing various sources like MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, and other clinical data, this review focuses on English language literature assessing FM in IDA treatment, especially in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). FM stands out for its improved tolerability compared to other iron formulations, with phase 3 trials indicating significant benefits in anemia management and serum iron parameters.
Ferric Maltol in IBD Anemia Trial: Effective but Not Equivalent to IV Treatment
In a phase 3b trial comparing treatments for iron-deficiency anemia in inflammatory bowel disease, ferric maltol demonstrated clinical effectiveness but fell short of showing noninferiority to intravenous ferric carboxymaltose at week 12. Patients were randomized to receive either oral ferric maltol or intravenous ferric carboxymaltose, with the primary goal being to assess hemoglobin response rates. While ferric maltol showed significant hemoglobin increases, its responder rate was lower compared to ferric carboxymaltose (67% vs. 84% in intent-to-treat analysis).
Ferric Maltol Shows Promise in AEGIS-CKD Trial for CKD-Related Anemia
The AEGIS-CKD Phase 3 trial evaluated the effects of oral iron replacement therapy with ferric maltol in adults with stage 3 or 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) and iron-deficiency anemia. The randomized, placebo-controlled trial, followed by an open-label extension at 30 US centers, involved administering ferric maltol or placebo for 16 weeks, then switching all patients to ferric maltol for up to 36 additional weeks. The primary outcome was the change in hemoglobin levels at week 16, along with ferritin, transferrin saturation, and serum iron measurements.
