Comparison of efficacies of divalent, trivalent irons and divalent iron plus zinc preparations in paediatric patients with iron deficiency anemia

Objective: In the present study, our aim was to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in children between 6 months-6 years old and to compare efficacy of oral Fe+2 (ferrous sulphate), Fe+3 (ferric polymaltose) and Fe+2 + Zn (ferrous fumarate+zinc sulphate) preparations in the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia. Material and Methods: The present study was conducted on 271 children (aged 6 months to 6 years) applying to our polyclinic. ID was diagnosed if hemoglobine (Hb) concentration was >11 g/dL and ferritin level was <12 ng/mL. Eighty one of the cases included in the study and having Hb <11 g/dL and ferritin <12 ng/mL were diagnosed with IDA. Those having IDA were divided into three groups. Those in the first group (n= 27), second group (n= 28) and third group (n= 26) were randomized to Fe+2, Fe +3 and Fe+2 + Zntreatments respectively. Iron treatment was administered on empty stomach as 3 x 2 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks. Results: The prevalences of ID and IDA were found to be 19.6% and 29.9%. When the groups were compared in terms of post-treatment Hb values, the increase in Hb values of those in Fe+2 group was statistically significantly higher than those observed in other groups. When the increase in Hb values of Fe+3 and Fe+2 + Zn groups were compared, there was no statistically significant difference. When mean corpuscular volume, serum iron, ferritin and reticulocyte response were compared to each other, the difference between Fe+2 and Fe+3 groups was statistically significant whereas no statistically significant difference was found between Fe+2 and Fe+2 + Zn or between Fe+2 + Zn and Fe+3 groups. Conclusion: The prevalences of ID and IDA detected in our study are similar to those reported in previous studies. We believe that oral administration of Fe+2 preparations alone in IDA is more efficient. Copyright © 2010 by Türkiye Klinikleri.