Are ferric compounds useful in treatment of iron deficiency anemia?

The effect of ferric compounds in therapy of iron deficiency anemia is doubtful; however, the absorption of iron is not affected negatively by food or drugs. In our Well Baby Clinic, ferric polymaltose (6 mg/kg/d) was given to 59 infants (Group 1) and ferrous sulphate (same doses) was given to 64 infants (Group 2) (74 +/- 9 d, 70 +/- 7 d, respectively). These infants had iron deficiency anemia, and their therapy was continuous. Ferric polymaltose was not as effective as ferrous sulphate, although it increased hemoglobin and serum iron. Mean corpuscular volume and serum ferritin were not significantly changed after therapy. For this reason, we prefer to use only ferrous salts in therapy.