Lactoferrin Versus Ferrous Sulfate in Iron-deficiency During Pregnancy

The main drawbacks with oral iron are side-effects, poor compliance, and limited absorption from the gut. It has become very apparent gastrointestinal intolerance with oral iron therapy is dose related and common (up to 20% of patients), and this frequently leads to poor compliance. Lactoferrin (formerly known as lactotransferrin) is a glycoprotein, and a member of a transferrin family, thus belonging to those proteins capable of binding and transferring iron. It represents an attractive and promising alternative to ferrous sulphate oral administration as pregnant women receiving lactoferrin did not experience any adverse effects. This study aims to compare between lactoferrin and ferrous sulphate for therapy of iron deficiency in pregnant women.