Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia with Intravenous Iron Preparations

Objective: We aimed to determine the effects of intravenous iron therapy on blood parameters in pediatric patients who do not tolerate oral iron therapy for any reason. Patients and Methods: The patient group consisted of candidates for elective operations requiring blood transfusions in order to raise hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations rapidly and for whom oral iron administration is useless and compliance with long-term treatment is definitely impossible due to sociocultural factors. Sixty-two children were included in the study. Venous blood samples were taken at diagnosis, and after 1 week and 1, 2 and 3 months. Hb, hematocrit, erythrocyte indices (mean erythrocyte volume, mean erythrocyte Hb and mean erythrocyte Hb concentration), serum iron (SI) levels, iron binding capacity, transferrin receptor (CD71) and serum ferritin levels were measured. Iron sucrose was used as an intravenous iron preparation. Results: All children showed improvements in iron deficiency anemia. A statistically significant elevation occurred between the time of diagnosis and week 1 (p