EFFECTIVENESS OF IRON POLYMALTOSE COMPLEX SALTS AND FERROUS SULPHATE IN THE CONDITION OF REDUCED CONCENTRATION HEMOGLOBIN (HB) RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Objective: The purpose of this study is to find out the effectiveness of iron polymaltose complex (IPC) salts and ferrous sulphate (FS) in the condition of reduced concentration haemoglobin (Hb) or we can say reduced number of red blood cells which is known as IDA (Iron deficiency of anaemia) in children.

Material and Methods: We carried out the current Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) study in the time duration of the ½ year starting from 1^st January 2018 to 30^th June 2018 at pediatric ward of Services Hospital, Lahore. Children facing iron deficiency anaemia and ageing from ½ year to five years were the participants of this research study. The researcher made two groups A and B of total selected children (150). Each group consist of 75 randomly selected victims. Prescribed FS (ferrous sulphate) to Group A and IPC (iron polymaltose complex) to Group B. Carried out the analysis of the results after three months in the relation between the reference point and rise in Hb in three months. Considered that rise in Hb level as effective which was more than or equal to (02 mg/dl) after treatment of three months. SPSS software was there to analyze the results. Through Chi-square test carried out the comparison of FS and IPC for effectiveness with significant P value as less than or equal to (0.05).

Results: We divided the children as age wise and calculated the frequency of gender. There was 82 (54.7%) male children and female children were 68 (54%). According to the distribution of the age as three years to five years, one year to three years and ½ year to one year there was 39 (26%), 77 (51.3%) and 34 (22.7%) cases correspondingly.  Recorded the average starting level of Hb in all participant of the research which was (6.64 ± 1.08) gm/dl and in group B it was (6.69 ± 1.04) gm/dl as well as in group A it was (6.59 ± 1.13) gm/dl. The average Hb level of all children of the current study at the completion of treatment was (9.15 ± 1.21) gm/dl and (9.20 ± 1.17) gm/dl, (9.11 ± 1.25) gm/dl in group A & B respectively. Calculated the mean increase of Hb as (2.52 ± 0.67) gm/dl in all the patients of the present research study. In group B it was (2.42 ± 0.71) gm/dl and in group A it was (2.62 ± 0.61) gm/dl. The calculations and observations on efficacy rate were as (96%) in between all participants and in group A & B it was (97.34%) & (94.66%) accordingly. There was a considerable difference in statistical analysis amongst these two groups.

Conclusion: According to the findings of the current research study found no considerable dissimilarity in the effectiveness of FS and IPC drugs. Iron polymaltose complex (IPC) salts are expensive as compared to ferrous sulphate (FS) and despite compromising side effects these medicines have same alike effectiveness. 

Keywords: Hemoglobin (Hb), iron polymaltose complex (IPC), ferrous sulphate (FS) and Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA).