Effectiveness of a combined preparation of ferrous fumarate and folic acid in pregnant women: a prospective study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37800/RM.1.2026.642Keywords:
iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy, ferrous fumarate, folic acid hydrateAbstract
Relevance: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is one of the most common background conditions and is detected in 30-40% of pregnant women. Standard oral iron formulations are often poorly tolerated and associated with gastrointestinal side effects, limiting their use during pregnancy. In this context, specially selected dosage forms containing ferrous fumarate in combination with folic acid are of particular importance. This combination not only replenishes iron stores but also prevents folate deficiency, which is critically important for normal fetal development.
The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the combined preparation of ferrous fumarate and folic acid in the treatment of anemia in pregnant women.
Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at the Scientific Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology (Almaty, Kazakhstan) and included 50 pregnant women at 12-25 weeks of gestation with confirmed IDA. All participants received a combined dosage form containing 50 mg of ferrous fumarate and 500 mg of folic acid for 30 days. Treatment effectiveness was assessed by changes in clinical symptoms and laboratory parameters (hemoglobin, ferritin, and serum iron) before and after therapy. The statistical methods used were the Z-test and the paired Student’s t-test.
Results: A statistically significant reduction in the frequency of clinical symptoms was observed: general weakness (from 92% to 18%), fatigue (from 82% to 22%), dizziness (from 74% to 16%), as well as nausea, somnolence, and reduced working capacity (p < 0.001). The mean hemoglobin level in patients with mild anemia increased from 108.7 g/L to 120.1 g/L, and in those with moderate anemia from 83 g/L to 109 g/L. Ferritin and serum iron levels also showed a significant increase (p < 0.001). Adverse effects (nausea, diarrhea) were reported in 7% of patients.
Conclusion: The combined dosage form of ferrous fumarate and folic acid demonstrated clinical efficacy and satisfactory tolerability in the treatment of IDA in pregnant women, supporting the rationale for its use in obstetric practice. At the same time, it seems advisable to conduct studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow‑up periods to further assess the effectiveness and safety of this therapy.
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