EFFICACY OF PARENTERAL IRON AS COMPARED TO ORAL IRON IN THE TREATMENT OF IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA IN CHILDREN

Iron Deficiency Anemia in Children

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of parenteral iron as compared to oral iron in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in children presenting at CMH Murree.
Study design: Randomized control trail (RCT)
Setting and Duration: Departments of Paediatrics and Pathology CMH Murree from August 2009 to March 2010.
Materials and Methods: Forty one children diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia on the basis of hemoglobin, red cell indices and morphology and serum iron levels were included. Patients were randomized into two groups with group I of 18 receiving oral ferrous sulphate and group II of 23 receiving parenteral iron sorbitol therapy. Response was assessed by reticulocyte count at 1 week, change in hemoglobin, MCV and serum iron levels at 4 weeks post treatment.
Results: The reticulocyte response at 1 week time was significantly more with intramuscular iron as compared to oral iron. Mean hemoglobin change and serum iron level increase were also significantly more with intramuscular iron therapy. Mean MCV level change was insignificant between the two modalities.
Conclusion: Parenteral intramuscular iron sorbitol treatment with better compliance shows early improved responses in children with iron deficiency anemia as compared to oral ferrous sulphate therapy and should be used as a preferred modality for treatment.