New Nigerian study finds single iron drip beats pills for new mothers

A major Nigerian-led study has found that a single iron infusion given after childbirth can treat anaemia faster and more effectively than standard iron tablets, offering a potential shift in care for millions of women.

Researchers from the University of Lagos, working with international partners, tested the treatment in a large clinical trial involving 1,400 women across Nigeria. Their findings were published this week in The Lancet Global Health.

The study compared a one-time intravenous dose of ferric carboxymaltose — delivered through a drip — with ferrous sulphate tablets taken twice daily for six weeks, which is the current standard treatment.

The results were clear: women who received the iron through a vein recovered their blood levels faster and rebuilt iron stores more effectively than those taking tablets. The treatment was also found to be safe, well tolerated, and effective for up to six months after childbirth.

A widespread but overlooked problem

Anaemia is a blood disorder characterized by insufficient, healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin, reducing oxygen delivery to body tissues.

Anaemia after childbirth is common, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where more than half of new mothers are affected. The condition can cause fatigue, weakness and difficulty carrying out daily activities, affecting both maternal health and bonding with newborns.

Despite its prevalence, treatment has been challenging. Many women struggle to complete oral iron therapy due to side effects such as nausea and stomach discomfort, or simply because of the demands of caring for a newborn.

The trial enrolled women aged 15 to 49 within two days of childbirth who had low blood levels. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either the single-dose iron infusion or oral tablets.

Researchers then tracked their recovery over six months, measuring blood levels, iron stores, and overall wellbeing — including fatigue, mental health and mother–child bonding.

Key findings

• The iron infusion corrected anaemia faster within six weeks
• It restored iron stores more effectively
• It caused fewer side effects, especially stomach-related issues
• No harmful effects were found in newborns

Both treatments were considered safe, but the infusion showed clear advantages in speed and convenience.

What it means for Nigeria

The findings could influence maternal healthcare policy in Nigeria, where postpartum anaemia remains a major public health issue. Researchers say the results support efforts to include the treatment in national essential medicines lists and expand its use in hospitals.

If adopted widely, the approach could reduce complications, improve recovery for new mothers, and ease the burden on healthcare systems.

Nigeria is the world’s deadliest place to give birth in terms of sheer number of maternal deaths. It accounts for nearly one in three global maternal deaths, with an estimated 75,000 pregnancy-related deaths in 2023, more than any other country. India, at second, lost 19,000 women.

The lifetime risk of a Nigerian woman dying in pregnancy is the highest globally. Two decades of reform have not changed much. In 2000, the maternal mortality ratio stood at 1,136 deaths per 100,000 live births. By 2023, it had fallen only to 993, a marginal decline compared to bigger reductions in countries with far less resources, according the World Health Organization.

One of the biggest killers is postpartum hemorrhage – severe bleeding after childbirth. It can lead to anaemia.