Clinical inquiries. What is appropriate management of iron deficiency for young children?
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).
Bhargava
Sital
S
Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
Meurer
Linda N
LN
Jamieson
Barbara
B
Hunter-Smith
Dan
D
D000284:Administration, Oral; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant
D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D006454:Hemoglobins; C020748:ferrous sulfate