Question

Treatment of iron deficiency anemia associated with pregnancy is

• A. Ferrous sulphate
• B. Iron-dextrin tablet
• C. Folic acid
• D. Iron-dextrin injection

Hint:

Ferrous sulphate is the first-line treatment for iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy due to its effectiveness in replenishing iron stores.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy.
Iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy is common and typically treated with iron supplements, such as ferrous sulphate, which helps replenish iron stores and supports healthy fetal development.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(1) Ferrous sulphate: Correct — Ferrous sulphate is the most commonly used treatment for iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy.
(2) Iron-dextrin tablet: Incorrect, iron-dextrin is a type of iron supplement, but ferrous sulphate is typically preferred.
(3) Folic acid: Incorrect, while folic acid is important for pregnancy, it does not treat iron deficiency anemia.
(4) Iron-dextrin injection: Incorrect, iron injections are typically used when oral supplements are not effective or well-tolerated.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct treatment for iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy is (1) Ferrous sulphate.

Answer 2

The question asks for the standard treatment of iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy. Rather than naming the drug directly, let's evaluate each option by what it actually treats or supplies, and how appropriate that is for routine use in pregnancy.

1. Ferrous sulphate: This is an oral iron salt that directly replenishes iron stores, is inexpensive, well absorbed, and is the standard first-line oral iron supplement recommended in pregnancy unless there is a specific contraindication or intolerance.
2. Iron-dextrin tablet: While iron-dextrin does supply iron, it is not the conventional first-line oral choice in routine antenatal care; ferrous salts like ferrous sulphate remain the preferred and more commonly used option.
3. Folic acid: Folic acid is a B-vitamin supplemented in pregnancy mainly to prevent neural tube defects and megaloblastic anemia due to folate deficiency; it does not correct iron deficiency, so it does not treat this specific type of anemia.
4. Iron-dextrin injection: Injectable iron is reserved for cases where oral iron cannot be tolerated, absorbed, or is otherwise inadequate — it is a second-line option, not the routine first-choice treatment.

Since the question asks for the standard treatment (not a special-case one), and only ferrous sulphate is the conventional, first-line oral iron replacement used routinely, it stands out as the answer, with folic acid ruled out for treating a different deficiency and the injectable/other iron forms ruled out as non-first-line options.

Therefore, the correct answer is Ferrous sulphate.