Efficacy and safety of intravenous iron sucrose treatment in children with iron deficiency anemia

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of intravenous iron sucrose treatment in children with iron deficiency anemia who were unresponsive to or could not tolerate oral iron therapy. Material and Methods: Among patients determined to have iron deficiency anemia, and were intolerant or noncompliant with oral iron therapy, 92 patients who have received parenteral iron therapy between the ages of 6 months and 18 years have been investigated retrospectively. Age, gender, patient complaints at application, dietary characteristics, accompanying diseases and treatment complications, and safety, tolerability, and adverse events have been assessed from the information obtained from patient files. Treatment efficiency was evaluated with hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and ferritin results from the blood samples taken before treatment, at the second week of treatment and after two months. Results: Mean age of patients was 12.5 ± 4.7 (age interval 1-17 years), and 21% was male while 79% was female. 72% of our patients were adolescents. From an etiological aspect, 56% of our patients was determined to have an iron-poor diet, 29% had functional menorrhagia, and 15% had chronic gastrointestinal system pathologies. Mean Hb, MCV and ferritin levels before and after treatment were found as: 7.72 ± 1.21 g/dl and 11.44 g/dl ± 0.68 g/dl; 63.2 ± 7.12 fL and 76.6 ± 3.81 fL; 3.87 ± 2.52 nmol/L and 57.94 ± 17.19 nmol/L, respectively (p< 0.001). 94% of patients were determined to have at least 2 g/dL (mean value 3.71 [range 1.6-6.3]) increase in their Hb levels. Anaphylaxis was observed in a patient who had a history of allergy despite applying premedication. Conclusion: Parenteral iron therapy is an efficient and safe treatment among indicated patients.