Intravenous Ferric Carboxymaltose for Iron Deficiency Anemia

Researchers from multiple institutions in Texas conducted a retrospective study of children with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) who received intravenous (IV) ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas. A query of pharmacy records was used to identify study patients who received FCM over a 1-year period. The medical records of study patients were reviewed to assess hematologic response to FCM treatment and adverse events related to therapy. For patients weighing >50 kg, 2 doses (each up to 750 mg) were given at least 7 days apart. Children weighing <50 kg received 1 to 2 doses of FCM at 15 mg/kg/dose. Data on response to treatment were assessed 4–12 weeks after FCM administration. Patients were considered to have a complete response to treatment if their hemoglobin normalized and their serum ferritin levels were ≥15 ng/mL; partial response was defined as an increase of ≥1.0 g/dL in hemoglobin above pre-infusion level. A total of 116 IV FCM infusions were administered to 72 patients with IDA (median age, 13.7 years; range, 9 months–18 years). Data on hematologic response to treatment were assessed in 52 study patients. Among these children, the median pre-infusion and post-infusion hemoglobin values were 9.1 g/dL and 12.3 g/dL, respectively; 68% had a complete response to treatment and 30% had a partial response. Sixty-five patients (84%) experienced no adverse effects. Among the 7 patients with an adverse event, pruritis and/...
Source: AAP Grand Rounds - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Hematology-Oncology Source Type: research