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Published on: March 14, 2017
Parenteral iron therapy in children with iron deficiency anemia
1Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
Insights
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in children often requires parenteral iron when oral iron fails. Intravenous iron is effective and safe for pediatric patients unresponsive to oral therapy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology
- Public Health
- Nutritional Anemias
Background:
- Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) remains a significant global health concern.
- Oral iron is the standard first-line treatment for pediatric IDA, with most children responding well.
- Parenteral iron is reserved for cases of intolerance, poor adherence, or malabsorption.
Discussion:
- Pediatric research on parenteral iron is limited compared to adult studies.
- Existing studies, though often small and retrospective, demonstrate the efficacy and safety of intravenous iron in children.
- This editorial reviews key data on parenteral iron use in pediatric IDA.
Key Insights:
- Parenteral iron is a viable and effective option for children with IDA who do not respond to oral iron.
- Intravenous iron formulations have a documented safety profile in pediatric populations.
- The need for considering parenteral iron in non-responsive pediatric cases is highlighted.
Outlook:
- Further research is warranted to expand the evidence base for parenteral iron in pediatric IDA.
- Optimizing treatment protocols for intravenous iron in children is crucial.
- Increased awareness and consideration of parenteral iron can improve outcomes for children with refractory IDA.
Abstract:
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) continues to be a global public health problem. Oral iron is the universally accepted first-line therapy, and most children have a prompt and favorable response to oral formulations. In subsets of children who fail to respond due to intolerance, poor adherence, or inadequate intestinal absorption, parenteral iron is indicated. Despite numerous studies in adults with IDA of diverse etiologies, pediatric studies on parenteral iron use are very limited. Although mostly retrospective and small, these studies have documented the efficacy and safety profile of intravenous iron formulations. In this editorial the author comments on the most important published data and underscores the need to seriously consider parenteral iron use in children unresponsive to oral therapy.
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