Parental Iron Therapy to Treat Iron Deficiency Anemia in Malnourished Children

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of parental iron therapy to treat iron deficiency anemia in malnourished children. Study Design: Quasi experimental design. Place and Duration of Study: Stabilization Centre, Children Hospital and the Institute of Child Health, Multan from 1 December 2014 to 31 December 2020. Materials and Methods: A total of 250 malnourished children with iron deficiency were included in the study. The laboratory parameters i.e., Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Red Blood Cells Count, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, and Serum ferritin of all patients were done. Using the iron deficit formula, all participants were given the measured iron sucrose complex. The iron sucrose complex was diluted with 0.9% normal saline and administered steadily for 3-4 hours. After 6 weeks of therapy, hemoglobin, RBC count , ferritin was measured. Comparison of mean ±SD of baseline laboratory parameters and after 6 weeks of iron supplementation was analyzed by using t-test. Results: A total of 250 participants were registered, male patients (57.2%) were more than female patients (42.8 %). Most of the 92(36.8%) participants were 12-24 months old. The key cause of anemia among 102(40.8%) admitted patients was inadequate diet or excessive milk consumption. The mean ±SD value of the Hb level at admission was 7.5±1.9 and it increased to 11±1.15g/dL after 6 weeks of active supplementation which is statistically significant (P-value < 0.05). Six weeks after giving intravenous iron therapy mean serum Ferritin increased from 11.5ml to 21.61 ng/ml. Conclusion: Current study concluded that controlled administration of IV iron sucrose for treatment of iron deficiency anemia among inpatients is efficacious and safe. IV iron sucrose should be considered for patient with severe IDA, those who are not compliant with oral formulations, and patients with malabsorption.