Iron hydroxide polymaltose--cause of persistent iron deficiency anemia at delivery.

Ironhydroxide polymaltose (IPC) preparations were used to treat four pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia. Despite patient compliance for sufficient length of time, hemoglobin failed to rise. By the time this was noticed, pregnancy was well advanced and delivery was only few weeks away. Patients were switched over to ferrous fumarate/succinate/parenteral iron. Although hemoglobin increased, women were still iron deficient at the time of delivery. Besides exposing women to hazards of iron deficiency at the time of delivery, their new borns are exposed to the risks intrauterine growth retardation and its consequences in childhood and later life. It would be advisable to avoid the use IPC preparations in patients with iron deficiency anemia, especially pregnant women.