What Are the Potential Side Effects of Iron Therapy?

Discussion Anemia is a common problem in pediatrics with an estimated 25% of school age children worldwide being anemic. It can cause cognitive and developmental problems along with impaired immunity. It is defined as “a lower than normal value for the related measurements of hemoglobin, hematocrit, and number of red blood cells”, usually 2 standard deviations below the normal for age. Normal hematological values change with age. The most common type of anemia in childhood is iron deficiency commonly caused by inadequate stores (e.g. premature infant), inadequate intake (e.g. poor nutrition) or blood loss (e.g. menses). Anemia screening is recommended at age 9-12 months, and in adolescent males and females during routine health examinations. As iron deficiency is the most common cause, often a trial of therapeutic iron (2-6 mg/kg/day of elemental iron) is started and then a complete blood count is rechecked ~ 1 month later. If iron deficiency is the cause then there should be an increase of 10-20 g/L. If not other causes must be sought. For a review of iron deficiency anemia and lead poisoning, click here. For a review of non-correcting causes of anemia, click here. Learning Point Iron is an essential trace element needed mainly for heme synthesis, but also oxidative energy production, mitochrondrial respiration and DNA synthesis. Short term supplemental oral iron ingestion is known to cause nausea, emesis and abdominal pain due to presumed irritation of the ga...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news