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[Oral iron therapy in infancy and childhood (author's transl)]
Insights
Iron deficiency is common in infants, particularly those born prematurely. A liquid ferrogluconate preparation effectively treated iron deficiency in children with good tolerance and no serious side effects.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Hematology
- Nutritional Deficiencies
Context:
- Iron deficiency is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency in pediatric practice.
- Infants aged 6 months to 3 years are particularly susceptible, especially premature or low birth weight infants.
- Factors contributing to iron deficiency include low initial body iron stores and inadequate postnatal iron intake relative to rapid growth demands.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a liquid ferrogluconate preparation for treating iron deficiency in infants and children.
- To assess the impact of oral iron therapy on key hematological parameters.
Summary:
- This study involved 40 infants and children treated with a liquid ferrogluconate preparation (Athensa-Ferro-Saft).
- Treatment outcomes were monitored through red blood cell parameters, serum iron, and iron-binding capacity.
- The preparation demonstrated a good to excellent therapeutic effect with no significant adverse events.
Impact:
- The liquid ferrogluconate preparation is well-tolerated and can be administered in individualized doses.
- This formulation is recommended for pediatric use in managing iron deficiency.
- Effective management of iron deficiency in early childhood is crucial for proper development and health.
Abstract:
In pediatric practice iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency. Infants between 6 months and 2 or 3 years are predisposed, especially if they were pre- or dysmature newborns or gemini. The frequency of iron deficiency--prelatent, latent or manifest anemia -- can be understood from the peculiarities of iron metabolism in this early period of life. Influencing factors are the body iron content of the newborn and the amount of postnatal iron intake. The discrepancy between a low iron content in the average baby's formula and high requirements in the rapidly growing organism have also to be considered. Low values of hemoglobin and serum iron, and an increased intestinal iron absorption in a normal baby of 4--6 months or a prematurely born baby of 2--3 months indicate depleted iron stores. A longterm oral iron therapy is indicated in pre- or dysmature babies, in newborns with perinatal blood loss, and in infants with recurrent infections. In this study 40 infants and children were treated with a liquid ferrogluconate preparation (Athensa-Ferro-Saft). Controls of several parameters of red blood cells, serum iron and iron binding capacity showed a good or excellent therapeutic effect. No serious side effects were seen. Because the preparation is well tolerated and can be administered in individual doses, it may be recommended for pediatric use.