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Ironstrene (ferric sodium edetate) treatment of anaemic infants
Insights
Iron deficiency anaemia is common in 1-year-olds. Sodium iron edetate effectively increased hemoglobin (Hb) levels, but levels decreased after treatment cessation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Hematology
- Public Health
Background:
- Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is a significant health concern in young children.
- Early detection and treatment are crucial for preventing long-term developmental consequences.
- Understanding hemoglobin (Hb) levels in healthy 1-year-olds is essential for identifying IDA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess Hb levels in healthy 1-year-old children in central Norway.
- To identify children with IDA (Hb ≤ 10.8 g/100 ml).
- To evaluate the efficacy of sodium iron edetate in treating IDA and its sustained effect.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 141 healthy 1-year-olds.
- Hb levels were measured to diagnose IDA.
- Children diagnosed with IDA were treated with sodium iron edetate for 4 weeks.
- Follow-up measurements were taken immediately after treatment, 4 weeks post-treatment, and 1 year later.
Main Results:
- 28.4% (40 out of 141) of children had Hb levels ≤ 10.8 g/100 ml.
- Sodium iron edetate treatment led to a significant increase in Hb levels.
- Hb levels showed a significant decline after treatment cessation, continuing over 1 year.
- Hb levels peaked approximately 2 weeks after treatment completion.
Conclusions:
- A notable prevalence of IDA exists in healthy 1-year-olds in the studied population.
- Sodium iron edetate is effective in rapidly improving Hb levels in anemic children.
- The positive effects of sodium iron edetate on Hb levels are not sustained long-term after treatment discontinuation.
Abstract:
This study deals with haemoglobin (Hb) measurements of healthy 1-year-old children in one district in central Norway. The aim was to study the Hb levels, to treat any children having iron deficiency anaemia (Hb less than or equal to 10.8 g/100 ml), and to evaluate the effect of sodium iron edetate after 4 weeks of treatment, with a follow-up after 1 year. A total of 141 children were examined, of whom 40 had Hb less than or equal to 10.8 g/100 ml (28.4%). The study showed that the Hb levels in healthy 1-year-olds have a normal distribution. Thirty-four children with Hb less than or equal to 10.8 g/100 ml were treated for 4 weeks with sodium iron edetate (six drop-outs). The study showed a significant increase in Hb levels immediately after the treatment period as well as 4 weeks later. Hb decreases significantly immediately after ceasing treatment and continues to do so during the control period of 1 year. The Hb levels probably increase to a maximum 2 weeks after the treatment period.