A prospective cohort study investigated the impact of implementing a standardized protocol for managing antepartum anemia on the utilization of intravenous iron sucrose and clinical outcomes. The protocol included serial third trimester hemoglobin assessments, oral iron supplementation for hemoglobin levels between 9.5-11 g/dL, and intravenous iron sucrose for hemoglobin levels below 9.5 g/dL. The study compared outcomes from six months before and after the protocol’s implementation, involving 1423 women with antepartum hemoglobin levels below 11.0 g/dL.

The findings revealed that implementing the standardized protocol significantly increased the utilization of intravenous iron sucrose, with 80% higher odds of administration compared to the pre-implementation group. Additionally, there was a slight improvement in predelivery hemoglobin levels in the post-implementation group. However, no significant differences were observed in blood transfusion rates between the two groups. The study concludes that standardized protocols for managing antepartum anemia can improve intravenous iron sucrose use and enhance predelivery hemoglobin levels.

Reference: Hamm RF, Wang EY, Levine LD, Speranza RJ, Srinivas SK. Implementation of a protocol for management of antepartum iron deficiency anemia: a prospective cohort study. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM. 2022 Mar;4(2):100533. doi: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2021.100533. Epub 2021 Nov 20. PMID: 34808403; PMCID: PMC9115863.