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Intravenous iron therapy for severe anaemia in systemic-onset juvenile chronic arthritis
A Martini1, A Ravelli, G Di Fuccia
1Clinica Pediatrica, University of Pavia, IRCCS San Matteo, Italy.
Insights
Intravenous iron saccharate effectively treats chronic anemia in children with systemic-onset juvenile chronic arthritis unresponsive to oral iron. This method significantly improved hemoglobin levels, indicating its potential as a vital therapeutic option.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rheumatology
- Hematology
- Clinical Nutrition
Background:
- Anemia is a common complication in systemic-onset juvenile chronic arthritis (s-JIA).
- The efficacy of iron supplementation, particularly intravenous iron, for treating anemia in s-JIA remains unclear.
- Oral iron therapy is often insufficient for patients with severe or unresponsive anemia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of intravenous iron saccharate in treating chronic anemia in children with s-JIA.
- To assess the correlation between serum transferrin receptor levels and hemoglobin response to intravenous iron therapy.
Main Methods:
- Eight children with s-JIA and severe persistent anemia, unresponsive to oral iron, received intravenous iron saccharate.
- Hemoglobin levels were measured before and after treatment.
- Serum transferrin receptor concentration was measured as an indicator of iron deficiency.
Main Results:
- Median hemoglobin increased from 8.0 g/dL to 11.0 g/dL (p = 0.01) after intravenous iron saccharate treatment.
- A significant correlation (r = 0.88, p < 0.01) was observed between pre-treatment serum transferrin receptor levels and the increase in hemoglobin.
- Intravenous iron saccharate demonstrated a notable improvement in anemia.
Conclusions:
- Intravenous iron saccharate is a potentially effective treatment for chronic anemia in s-JIA.
- This treatment is particularly beneficial for patients with iron deficiency unresponsive to oral iron.
- Further research may confirm its role in managing anemia associated with s-JIA.
Abstract:
The role of iron supplementation in treating the anaemia of systemic-onset juvenile chronic arthritis is not clear. Eight affected children with severe persistent anaemia unresponsive to oral iron therapy were treated with intravenous iron saccharate. From a median post-oral-iron value of 8.0 g/dL (range 6.5-9.5), haemoglobin rose to 11.0 g/dL (10.1-12.1) (p = 0.01). The concentration of serum transferrin receptor, an indicator of iron deficiency, before intravenous therapy correlated with the increase in haemoglobin (r = 0.88, p < 0.01). Intravenous iron saccharate could be an effective treatment for chronic anaemia in this condition, especially with iron deficiency not responsive to oral iron.