11 Dec 2025 • Ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) delivered substantially better maternal and neonatal outcomes than oral iron in third-trimester iron deficiency anemia (IDA).

In 206 women treated with FCM plus oral iron versus 105 receiving oral iron alone, hemoglobin rose more sharply from baseline through delivery and postpartum. Neonatal metrics also favored FCM: birthweight was higher (3164 g vs 2952 g), cord pH improved (7.34 vs 7.28), and Apgar scores were superior. NICU admissions were lower with FCM (20.9% vs 31.4%), and fetal growth restriction was less frequent (16.5% vs 38.1%). Greater maternal hemoglobin recovery tracked with higher Apgar scores, while infants requiring intensive care were linked to smaller hemoglobin gains.

The data highlight the broader perinatal advantage of escalating to intravenous iron when oral therapy proves insufficient late in pregnancy.

Source: EJOG | Read Full Story