TITLE:
Syrup versus Drops of Iron III Hydroxide Polymaltose in the Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia of Infancy
AUTHORS:
Ayala Yahav, Chaim Kaplinsky, Miguel M. Glatstein, Yaakov Shachter, Aryeh Simmonds, Yakov Shiff, Dennis Scolnik, Nechama Sharon
KEYWORDS:
Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA), Treatment, Iron III Hydroxide Polymaltose, Formulation
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.5 No.1,
February
15,
2015
ABSTRACT: Background: Iron deficiency anemia in
infants is the most common micronutrient deficiency worldwide. The main cause
is low iron intake in the presence of accelerated physiologic growth rate.
Objective: The current study aimed at prospectively comparing the efficacy of
iron III hydroxide polymaltose syrup (IPS) versus iron III hydroxide
polymaltose drops (IPD) in treating iron deficiency among infants attending the
hematology outpatient clinic. Our hypothesis was that IPS would be less
effective possibly related to the difficulty of giving the medication. Methods:
Participants diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia between 11-24 months were
randomly assigned to receive either IPS or IPD for 3 months. The main outcome
parameter was hemoglobin blood level, while the secondary outcome parameters
were: 1) iron; 2) ferritin; 3) transferrin (i.e.total iron binding capacity); 4) mean
corpuscular volume; and 5) red blood cell distribution width. Results: Out of
the 104 recruited infants, 55 (52%) completed the study: 29 in the IPS group
and26 inthe IPD group. There was no significant difference in the main outcome
parameter at either 1 or 3 months of treatment: mean hemoglobin was 10.5 versus
10.7 g/dL within a 1 month treatment, P = 0.4; mean hemoglobin was 11.0 versus
11.1 g/dL within a 3 months of treatment, P = 0.59. Likewise, no significant
differences were found with respect to the occurrence of side effects.
Conclusion: Oral IPD and IPS are equally effective in treating iron deficiency
anemia in infants aged 11 - 24 months.