Syrup versus Drops of Iron III Hydroxide Polymaltose in the Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia of Infancy

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.

Comparative Rates of Adverse Events with 2-Hour versus 4-Hour Infusion of Total Dose Intravenous Iron Polymaltose

Background and aim of the study: Patients with iron deficiency (ID) who are unable to tolerate or show sub-optimal response to oral iron therapy are candidates for parenteral iron therapy. This study evaluated the patient safety and tolerance of iron polymaltose given either as a 2-hour infusion or as a 4-hour infusion. Methods: A total of 243 patients with ID were randomized alternatively to receive iron polymaltose infusion either as a 2-hour infusion or as a 4-hour infusion. All patients received pre-medication with certizine hydrochloride 10 mg PO one-hour before infusion and hydrocortisone 50 mg IVI immediately before infusion. Infusion related adverse events/side-effects during the infusion and over the next seven days were documented and graded as mild, moderate or severe. Results: The age of the patients ranged from 17 years to 92 years (mean 55.5 yr);M:F = 1:3.5. One hundred and twenty-two patients were in the 2-hour arm (M:F = 1:5;mean age 52.9 yr) and 121 were in the 4-hour arm (M:F = 1:2.6;mean age 58.1 yr). Iron infusion therapy was generally well tolerated by patients in both arms. Adverse events/side effects were documented in 14 patients in each arm (22 events in the 2-hour arm and 20 in the 4-hour arm) and included aches and pains, cannula-site pain/swelling, nausea, abdominal cramps, rash, vagal response, metallic taste, hot flushes and headaches. In most patients, these events were mild and none had any severe events. Conclusion: The incidence of adverse events with 2-hour infusion of iron polymaltose is similar to that observed with 4-hour infusion of iron polymaltose.