Application of Shengxuening tablets for the prevention of anemia in pregnancy: stratified efficacy analysis based on serum ferritin levels and thalassemia subgroups
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of Shengxuening (SXN) tablets on gestational anemia and iron metabolism, focusing on efficacy differences among pregnant women with the thalassemia trait and those stratified by baseline serum ferritin (SF) levels.Methods A retrospective single-center cohort (2016–2022) reviewed prenatal records of 843 pregnant women. Participants were allocated to either an SXN prophylaxis group (n = 620) or a non-prophylaxis group (n = 223) based on whether hemoglobin (Hb) was ≥110 g/L when iron supplementation was initiated. Within the SXN group, women were further stratified by baseline SF levels (<30, 30–70, 71–100, and >100 µg/L) to evaluate efficacy across SF subgroups. Primary endpoints were the incidence of gestational anemia and iron deficiency (ID). Secondary outcomes included changes in Hb, red blood cell (RBC) count, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and SF.Results Among the 843 pregnant women, the incidence of ID ranged from 59.52% to 73.58% in the second and third trimesters, while iron deficiency anemia (IDA) was observed in 22.51% to 32.84% of cases. Comparative analysis within the SXN prophylaxis group, stratified by baseline SF levels, revealed that participants with SF ≥ 30 μg/L had significantly higher rates of adequate Hb levels before delivery (p = 0.003) and higher mean SF concentrations at 30–34 weeks of gestation (p = 0.025) compared to those with SF < 30 μg/L. Among 57 pregnant women with the thalassemia trait, the SXN prophylaxis group demonstrated significantly better Hb adequacy rates across gestational weeks and superior iron-related parameters compared to the non-prophylaxis group (p < 0.05).Conclusion SXN tablets effectively ameliorate ID and anemia in both the general obstetric population and pregnant women with the thalassemia trait. The greatest benefit occurs when prophylaxis is initiated at baseline SF ≥30 μg/L. Baseline SF levels positively correlate with therapeutic response, indicating that adequate iron reserves enhance treatment efficacy. Routine, guideline-based iron supplementation should remain a cornerstone of antenatal care; however, individualized regimens tailored to initial iron status warrant further investigation.
Language: English
Subfield: Hematology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7128643155