Faculty Collaboration Database

Clinical inquiries. What is appropriate management of iron deficiency for young children? J Fam Pract 2006 Jul;55(7):629-30

Date

07/11/2006

Pubmed ID

16822452

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-33746044541 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   4 Citations

Abstract

Infants and toddlers with suspected iron-deficiency anemia should begin treatment with oral ferrous sulfate (3 mg/kg/d of elemental iron). A rise in hemoglobin >1 g/dL after 4 weeks supports the diagnosis of iron deficiency, and supplementation should continue for 2 additional months to replenish iron stores. Recheck hemoglobin at the end of treatment and again 6 months later (strength of recommendation [SOR]: C, based on expert opinion). For primary prevention, counsel parents on the use of iron-fortified formula for non-breastfed infants until the age 12 months (SOR: B, based on randomized controlled study), and introduce iron-rich foods between 4 and 6 months to breastfed babies (SOR: C, based on expert opinion).

Author List

Bhargava S, Meurer LN, Jamieson B, Hunter-Smith D

Author

Linda N. Meurer MPH, MD Emeritus Professor in the Family and Community Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Administration, Oral
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency
Blood Cell Count
Child, Preschool
Ferrous Compounds
Hemoglobins
Humans
Infant