Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 19, 2026
Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes
Published on: May 10, 2022
Comparison of Therapeutic Efficacy of Ferrous Ascorbate and Iron Polymaltose Complex in Iron Deficiency Anemia in
Prashant Patil1, Prajit Geevarghese2, Prabha Khaire1
1Department of Pediatrics, GMCH Aurangabad, Panchakki Jubliee Park, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, 431001, India.
Insights
Ferrous ascorbate (FA) significantly improved hematological parameters in children with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) compared to iron polymaltose complex (IPC). FA showed better efficacy in increasing hemoglobin and other key indicators over 3 months.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology
- Nutritional Anemia
- Pharmacological Interventions
Background:
- Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a prevalent global health issue in children.
- Accurate diagnosis and effective treatment are crucial for preventing long-term developmental consequences.
- Various iron supplements exist, necessitating comparative studies for optimal therapeutic selection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the therapeutic efficacy of Ferrous ascorbate (FA) and Iron polymaltose complex (IPC) in treating IDA in pediatric patients.
- To evaluate the impact of these iron supplements on key hematological parameters.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 125 children (1-12 years) diagnosed with IDA.
- Participants were randomized to receive either FA or IPC at a dose of 6 mg/kg elemental iron daily for 3 months.
- Hematological parameters including Hemoglobin (Hb), Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), Red cell distribution width (RDW), and reticulocyte count were monitored.
Main Results:
- Both FA and IPC groups showed significant improvement in hematological parameters after 3 months.
- Ferrous ascorbate demonstrated a statistically significant greater increase in Hb levels at both 1 and 3 months compared to IPC (p<0.017 and p<0.001, respectively).
- FA also showed significantly better improvements in MCV and RDW, and a faster rise in reticulocyte count compared to IPC (p<0.011 and p<0.001, respectively).
- Minor adverse reactions were reported in the FA group, while the IPC group experienced none.
Conclusions:
- Both Ferrous ascorbate and Iron polymaltose complex are effective in improving hematological parameters in children with IDA.
- Ferrous ascorbate appears to be more efficacious than Iron polymaltose complex in improving key hematological markers within a 3-month treatment period.
- Further research may explore long-term outcomes and tolerability profiles.
Objective:
To compare the therapeutic efficacy of Ferrous ascorbate (FA) and Iron polymaltose complex (IPC) in Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in children.
Methods:
A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted at a tertiary care hospital with 125 (1-12 y) children having clinical symptoms and signs of IDA. Participants were randomized into FA group and IPC group. Both the groups received iron salts (FA or IPC) randomly in a dose of 6 mg/kg elemental iron for 3 mo and followed up on day 3, day 7, at the end of 1 mo and 3 mo for Hemoglobin (Hb), Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), Red cell distribution width (RDW) and reticulocyte count.
Results:
Both groups had an improvement in hematological parameters at 3 mo of intervention. The difference in the rise of Hb (g%) at the end of 1 mo in FA group (3.13 ± 1.01) vs. IPC group (2.0 ± 0.85); p = 0.017 and at 3 mo in FA group (4.88 ± 1.28) vs. IPC group (3.33 ± 1.33); p = 0.001 was statistically significant. The difference in the rise of mean Hb was significantly better in FA than the IPC group F [3392] =1.79; p = 0.00 (ANOVA). The difference in the mean increase in MCV (fL) at day 7 in FA group (6.71 ± 8.32) vs. IPC group (2.91 ± 6.16); p = 0.011 and at 1 mo FA group (9.80 ± 8.56) vs. IPC group (5.35 ± 6.11); p = 0.004 was statistically significant. The mean decrease in RDW (%) at 1 mo in FA group (4.23 ± 3.27) vs. IPC group (2.67 ± 1.95); p = 0.005 and at 3 mo in FA group (5.74 ± 3.63) vs. IPC group (4.04 ± 2.17); p = 0.006 was statistically significant. The difference in the rise in mean reticulocyte count at day 3 in FA group (0.88 ± 0.50) vs. IPC group (0.43 ± 1.20); p = 0.017 and at day 7 in FA group (4.00 ± 1.69) vs. IPC group (2.19 ± 1.24); p = 0.001 was statistically significant. F [2294] = 29.2, p = 0.00 (ANOVA). During the study period, the FA group had minor adverse reactions whereas the IPC group had none.
Conclusions:
Both the iron salts (FA and IPC) used in the treatment of IDA showed statistically significant improvement in the hematological parameters during the 3 mo of intervention. The improvement in hematological parameters was better in FA supplemented patients as compared to IPC.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
08:45Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes
05:08Measurement of Tissue Non-Heme Iron Content using a Bathophenanthroline-Based Colorimetric Assay
03:56Caco-2 Cell Bioassay: An In Vitro Method for Measuring Iron Bioavailability in Complex Food Sources
08:36The Adjuvant Efficacy of Angong Niuhuang Pill in the Treatment of Viral Encephalitis: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
08:59Fabrication of a Functionalized Magnetic Bacterial Nanocellulose with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
05:36Quantifiable and Inexpensive Cell-Free Fluorescent Method to Confirm the Ability of Novel Compounds to Chelate Iron