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Nutritional Strategies for Managing Iron Deficiency in Adolescents: Approaches to a Challenging but Common Problem.

Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.)
May 1, 2024
Clay T Cohen et al. (2 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the prevention, recognition, and treatment of iron deficiency (ID) in adolescents, focusing on dietary habits, risk factors, and therapeutic approaches.

Results Summary

The study found that oral iron supplementation is effective for treating ID, with recommendations for once-daily dosing and avoidance of inhibitors. Intravenous iron is safe and effective for persistent ID, severe anemia, or chronic inflammatory conditions.

Population

Adolescents, particularly those with vegetarian/vegan diets, disordered eating, excessive menstrual blood loss, chronic health conditions, or athletic involvement.

Effective Dosage

Oral iron once daily, preferably in the morning; intravenous iron for specific cases (dosage not specified).

Duration

≥3 months for oral iron therapy.

Interactions

Avoid foods and drinks that inhibit iron absorption.

Extracted Claims (5)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
plant-based, nonheme iron
decrease
bioavailability
Adolescents following vegetarian or vegan diets
-
has decreased bioavailability
#1
plant-based, nonheme iron
increase
total iron intake
Adolescents following vegetarian or vegan diets
-
requires increased total iron intake
#2
oral iron supplementation
neutral
Iron deficiency
-
-
is typically treated with
#3
oral iron therapy
increase
ferritin
in the setting of ID
20 ng/mL
should be provided for ≥3 mo
#4
Intravenous iron
neutral
efficacy and safety
adolescents
-
has demonstrated efficacy and safety
#5
Abstract

Iron deficiency (ID) is a common and challenging problem in adolescence. In order to prevent, recognize, and treat ID in this age range, it is critical to understand the recommended daily intake of iron in relation to an adolescent's activity, dietary habits, and basal iron losses. Adolescents following vegetarian or vegan diets exclusively rely on plant-based, nonheme iron, which has decreased bioavailability compared with heme iron and requires increased total iron intake. Individuals with disordered eating habits, excessive menstrual blood loss, and certain chronic health conditions (including inflammatory bowel disease and heart failure) are at high risk of ID and the development of symptomatic iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Adolescent athletes and those with sleep and movement disorders may also be more sensitive to changes in iron status. Iron deficiency is typically treated with oral iron supplementation. To maximize iron absorption, oral iron should be administered no more than once daily, ideally in the morning, while avoiding foods and drinks that inhibit iron absorption. Oral iron therapy should be provided for ≥3 mo in the setting of ID to reach a ferritin of 20 ng/mL before discontinuation. Intravenous iron is being increasingly used in this population and has demonstrated efficacy and safety in adolescents. It should be considered in those with persistent ID despite a course of oral iron, severe and/or symptomatic IDA, and chronic inflammatory conditions characterized by decreased gastrointestinal iron absorption.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansAdolescentAnemia, Iron-DeficiencyIronDietary SupplementsIron DeficienciesFemaleNutritional StatusIron, DietaryMale
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety80
Efficacy85/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations2
Citations/Year2.0
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score2.60
Normalized Score0.81
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