From the Guidelines
For a 13-year-old pregnant individual with iron deficiency anemia, the recommended treatment is intravenous iron supplementation, as oral iron may not be sufficient in severe cases, with a dose of 60 to 120 mg of elemental iron per day, as this is the usual dose used in pregnant women, according to the study by 1. The treatment requires careful monitoring with regular hemoglobin checks every 2-4 weeks to assess response. This situation also necessitates immediate multidisciplinary care involving obstetricians, pediatricians, and social services due to the high-risk nature of adolescent pregnancy. Some key points to consider in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women include:
- The usual dose of elemental iron per day is 60 to 120 mg, as stated in the study by 1.
- Intravenous iron treatment is also used during pregnancy, especially in severe cases, as mentioned in the study by 1.
- Prenatal vitamins often include a low dose of iron, with the usual dose prescribed in early pregnancy being 30 mg of elemental iron per day, as noted in the study by 1.
- Higher doses, such as 60 to 100 mg of elemental iron per day, are sometimes prescribed in populations at increased risk for iron deficiency anemia, according to the study by 1.
- Nutritional counseling should be provided to increase dietary iron intake from sources like lean meats, beans, and fortified cereals, as suggested in the study by 1.
- Iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy, if left untreated, can lead to preterm delivery, low birth weight, and developmental issues for the baby, while also causing fatigue, weakness, and increased risk of complications for the young mother, as mentioned in the study by 1.
- In severe cases with hemoglobin below 7 g/dL or symptoms of cardiac compromise, hospitalization and intravenous iron therapy may be necessary, as stated in the study by 1. It is essential to follow the recommended treatment guidelines to ensure the best possible outcomes for both the mother and the baby, as emphasized in the study by 1.
From the Research
Treatment for Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pregnancy
The recommended treatment for a 13-year-old pregnant individual with iron deficiency anemia (low hemoglobin) includes:
- Oral iron as the first-line treatment 2
- Intravenous iron for patients who cannot tolerate, cannot absorb, or do not respond to oral iron 2, 3, 4
- Ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) as an effective and safe alternative to blood transfusion in selected cases of severe iron-deficiency anemia in children 5
Dosage and Administration
- The dosage of intravenous iron depends on the patient's weight and iron deficiency 3
- Ferric carboxymaltose can be administered in a dose of up to 1000 mg of iron during a minimum administration time of ≤15 minutes 3
- In one case study, a 13-year-old girl with extreme iron-deficiency chronic anemia was successfully treated with 2 g of FCM in three refracted doses, in association with folic acid 5 mg/day for two weeks 5
Safety and Efficacy
- Intravenous FCM is associated with fewer adverse events than iron sucrose 4
- FCM is effective in replenishing depleted iron stores and improving health-related quality-of-life (HR-QOL) in patients with iron-deficiency anemia 3
- The incidence of drug-related adverse events in patients receiving intravenous FCM is generally similar to that in patients receiving oral ferrous sulfate 3