Significantly less gastrointestinal side effects were reported with lactoferrin treatment .
No significant differences existed with regard to other outcomes .
In conclusion , for pregnant women with IDA , daily oral bovine lactoferrin is just as good as ferrous sulfate in improving hematological parameters with fewer gastrointestinal side effects .
This systematic review and meta- analysis aim ed to evaluate the efficacy of daily oral bovine lactoferrin versus daily oral ferrous iron preparations for treatment of iron deficiency anemia ( IDA ) during pregnancy .
Lactoferrin Efficacy versus Ferrous Sulfate in Curing Iron Disorders in Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women
Iron homeostasis in pregnancy compensates for increased iron requirements and in women of child-bearing age for iron loss in menses . Oral administration of ferrous sulfate , prescribed to cure iron deficiency ( ID ) and ID anemia ( IDA ) , often fails to increase hematological parameters and causes adverse effects . Recently , we demonstrated safety and efficacy of bovine lactoferrin ( bLf ) in pregnant women suffering from ID/IDA . Two clinical trials were conducted on pregnant and non-pregnant women of child-bearing age suffering from ID/IDA . In both trials , women received oral administration of bLf 100 mg/twice/day ( Arm A ) , or ferrous sulfate 520 mg/day ( Arm B ) . Hematological parameters , serum IL-6 and prohepcidin were assayed before and after therapy . Unlike ferrous sulfate , bLf  increased hematological parameters ( P<0.0001 ) . In pregnant women , bLf  decreased serum IL-6 ( P<0.0001 ) , and increased prohepcidin ( P=0.0007 ) . In non-pregnant women bLf did not change the low IL-6 levels while it increased prohepcidin ( P<0.0001 ) . Ferrous sulfate increased IL-6 ( P<0.0001 ) and decreased prohepcidin ( P=0.093 ) . bLf established iron homeostasis by modulating serum IL-6 and prohepcidin synthesis , whereas ferrous sulfate increased IL-6 and failed to increase hematological parameters and prohepcidin .  bLf is a more effective and safer alternative than ferrous sulfate for treating ID and IDA
Significantly less gastrointestinal side effects were reported with lactoferrin treatment .
No significant differences existed with regard to other outcomes .
In conclusion , for pregnant women with IDA , daily oral bovine lactoferrin is just as good as ferrous sulfate in improving hematological parameters with fewer gastrointestinal side effects .
This systematic review and meta- analysis aim ed to evaluate the efficacy of daily oral bovine lactoferrin versus daily oral ferrous iron preparations for treatment of iron deficiency anemia ( IDA ) during pregnancy .