title: [Tolerability of iron preparation Actiferol Fe® in children treated for iron deficiency anemia].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Iron deciency anemia is the most frequently occurring anemia during the childhood period. Supplementation with adequate doses of iron remains a basic method of prevention and treatment. The various available products containing iron are characterized by a different degree of patient tolerability. Actiferol Fe® is a micronized, dispersible ferric pyrophosphate which improves its water solubility, and therefore it has better absorption and bioavailability.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The assessment of tolerability of Actiferol Fe® in children who were administered this product to treat or prevent of iron deciency anemia. The methods of administration and the incidence of adverse effects were analyzed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty children (64 boys and 16 girls) aged from one month to 6 years who met the criteria of an indication to be treated with iron were included into the study. The assessment of selected parameters was based on the questionnaire which included questions about tolerability, method of administration, convenience of usage and adverse e#ects. The questionnaire was lled in by parents (usually by the mother).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study indicated that Actiferol Fe® has very good or good tolerability in 87.5% (70/80) of patients - 46.3% (37/80) and 41.2% (33/80), respectively. The most frequent method of administration was in liquid form after dissolving: in water - 31,3% (25/80), in orange juice - 18.8% (15/80) or in milk formulas - in 17.5% (14/80) of patients. The method of administration was assessed as convenient or very convenient by 84% (67/80) of participants. Out of the adverse effects reported, the most frequent were change in the stool consistency into harder, abdominal pain and constipation - in 20% (16/80), 11.25% (9/80), 10% (8/80) cases, respectively. Diarrhea, pain during defecation occurred occasionally. A dark color of the stool was reported by 55% (44/80) of patients. In only one case (1.25%) the parents resigned from the product administration and replaced it with another iron product (no connection with tolerability of the formulation).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Actiferol Fe® is a product characterized by good tolerability, convenient usage and mild adverse effects.
authors.affiliation: Klinika Pediatrii, Centrum Medyczne Kształcenia Podyplomowego, Warszawa. Kliniczny Oddział Pediatryczny, Szpital Bielański, Warszawa.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jackowska
authors.affiliation: Klinika Pediatrii, Centrum Medyczne Kształcenia Podyplomowego, Warszawa. Kliniczny Oddział Pediatryczny, Szpital Bielański, Warszawa.
authors.forename: Alicja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sapała-Smoczyńska
authors.affiliation: Zakład Farmakologii, Instytut Matki i Dziecka.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kamińska
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000139:chemically induced; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001682:Biological Availability; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003248:Constipation / Q000139:chemically induced; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D011756:Diphosphates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D011756:Diphosphates; D007501:Iron; C049051:ferric pyrophosphate