In a groundbreaking study published in the Lancet Global Health, researchers have found that iron given through the vein corrects iron deficiency anaemia in pregnant women faster and better than iron taken by mouth.

The researchers in a recently concluded clinical trial, called the Ivon Trial, tested a medicine for treating anaemia (low blood level), called ferric carboxymaltose, which is new in Nigeria and most of Sub-Saharan Africa.

They compared its effectiveness with oral ferrous sulphate tablets, currently used to treat anaemia in Nigeria. They found that this new medicine given in drip through the vein works faster and better, and it is as safe as the iron tablet taken by mouth for the treatment of anaemia.

The study was carried out by a team of researchers at the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, Nigeria, led by a professor, Bosede Afolabi, in collaboration with some researchers at Bayero University, Kano and the Karolinska Institutet, Sweden, amongst others.

Anaemia, importance of research findings

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