[Treatment of iron deficiency in infancy with iron-acetyl transferrin]

In twenty eight patients with iron deficiency the efficacy of iron-acetil-transferrin treatment (2-3 mg/kg/die) has been evaluated from the changes of the following variables: RBC and reticulocyte count, Hb concentration, MCV, MCH, serum ferritin, serum iron, TIBC, and ZnPP. These variables were assessed before and after three months of treatment in all patients, and after three months from the end of the treatment in thirteen patients. At the end of the treatment there was a significant increase of RBC count, Hb concentration, MCV, MCH, serum ferritin, serum iron, and TIBC, a significant decrease of ZnPP, while reticulocyte count remained essentially unchanged. After three months from the end of the treatment only serum ferritin and ZnPP underwent an additional significant increase and decrease, respectively. In twenty-six patients serum ferritin values returned to normal. The changes of RBC and reticulocyte count, Hb concentration, MCV, serum iron, and TIBC were larger the lower the initial values, suggesting that the efficacy of the treatment is greater the more serious the iron deficiency.