Treatment of iron deficiency anemia in children: a comparative study of ferrous ascorbate and colloidal iron.
Study Goal
To compare the efficacy of ferrous ascorbate and colloidal iron in treating iron deficiency anemia in children.
Results Summary
Ferrous ascorbate resulted in a significantly higher mean rise in hemoglobin levels (3.59 g/dl) compared to colloidal iron (2.43 g/dl), with a higher proportion of children becoming non-anemic (64.86% vs. 31.03%).
Population
Children aged 6 months to 12 years diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia.
Effective Dosage
Elemental iron 3 mg/kg body weight per day.
Duration
12 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ferrous ascorbate | increase | hemoglobin levels | children with iron deficiency anemia | 3.59 ± 1.67 g/dl | significantly higher rise | #1 |
colloidal iron | increase | hemoglobin levels | children with iron deficiency anemia | 2.43 ± 1.73 g/dl | rise | #2 |
ferrous ascorbate | decrease | anemia status | children with iron deficiency anemia | 64.86 % | significantly higher proportion became non-anemic | #3 |
colloidal iron | decrease | anemia status | children with iron deficiency anemia | 31.03 % | proportion became non-anemic | #4 |
OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of ferrous ascorbate and colloidal iron in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in children. METHODS: Eighty one children, aged 6 mo to 12 y, were screened for iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and those diagnosed with IDA were randomized to receive ferrous ascorbate or colloidal iron for a period of 12 wk, such that each child received elemental iron 3 mg/kg body weight/d. Increase in hemoglobin (Hb) level was the primary outcome measure. Assessment was performed at baseline, wk 4, wk 8 and wk 12. RESULTS: Of 81 children screened, 73 were included in the study. The mean rise in Hb at the end of the 12 wk was significantly higher in ferrous ascorbate group than the colloidal iron group [3.59 ± 1.67 g/dl vs. 2.43 ± 1.73 g/dl; P < 0.01]. Significantly higher proportion of children receiving ferrous ascorbate (64.86 % vs. 31.03 %; P < 0.01) became non-anemic in comparison to colloidal iron. CONCLUSIONS: Ferrous ascorbate provides a significantly higher rise in hemoglobin levels in comparison to colloidal iron. The study supports the use of ferrous ascorbate in the pediatric age group, providing evidence for its role as an efficient oral iron supplement in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia.