Patients
Pregnant women aged over 18 years in the second or third trimester with ID, defined as ferritin ≤ 15 μg/l and a transferrin saturation < 25% were eligible. Participants were excluded if they had untreated B12 or folate deficiencies, known hypersensitivity to FCM, haemoglobin >130 g.l-1; serious medical condition, uncontrolled systemic disease, or inability to fully comprehend or perform study procedures. Women were screened for ID during routine antenatal assessment at the Women’s Assessment Unit at the Lyell McEwin Hospital, Elisabeth Vale, South Australia.