Objectives: To determine the iron status of Obstetricians, effect of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose on hemoglobin level and iron status. To evaluate the effect of increase in hemoglobin on quality of life and to determine association between serum ferritin and hemoglobin level
Study Design: Cross-sectional study
Place and Duration of Study: Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Pakistan (SOGP) annual meeting held in Islamabad, Pakistan, from 5th to 7th December 2014
Methodology: Venous blood samples of the participants were collected after informed consent and assessed for hemoglobin concentration, MCV, MCH and serum ferritin. Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose was offered to participants with serum ferritin <100 ng/mL. Repeated assessments of the core laboratory values were performed at 2 and 4 weeks post infusion and participants were asked about feeling of wellbeing using a non-validated, questionnaire.
Results: The mean age of 174 participants was 43.4±9.7 years. Mild to moderate anemia was present in 41% (72). Serum ferritin <15ng/mL was observed in 26.43% (46) with average serum ferritin level of 66.65+82.91ng/mL. An increase of hemoglobin 1.6g/dl was observed 2-4 weeks post infusion in 28 participants who opted to receive IV ferric carboxymaltose. Serum ferritin levels increased from 23.9 ng/mL to 152.9 ng/ml, with 70% of recipients having a value >100 ng/ml.  Better state of health was reported post infusion by 89% participants.
Conclusion: Hemoglobin estimation is not true reflection of Iron deficiency. It not only affects poor, illiterate, and least aware population but also health care professionals who are well aware, educated and of good socioeconomic status. Carboxymaltose infusion significantly increased hemoglobin and serum ferritin level and improved feeling of wellbeing.
Key Words: Anemia, Ferric carboxymaltose, Gynecologist, Iron deficiency, Obstetricians, Serum ferritin.

Cite this article as: Humayun S, Sultana R, Ahmed A, Humayun S, Zafar U.J. Soc. Obstet. Gynaecol. Pak. 2016; Vol 6(2):48-53

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