Irfan Ullah Marwat, Khawaja Amjad Hassan, Tahir Javed, Akmal Laeeq Chishti.
Comparison of efficacy of ferrous and iron polymaltose salts in the treatment of childhood iron deficiency anemia.
Ann King Edward Med Uni Jan ;19(4):322-6.

Background: Iron deficiency of anemia (IDA) is defined as reduced number of red blood cells, and / or reduced concentration hemoglobin (Hb) due to deficiency of iron. Treatment involves dietary modifications and inorganic iron salt supplements like ferrous sulfate (FS) or Iron polymaltose complex (IPC). The decision to select either drug rests on therapeutic efficacy, untoward side effects; cost of complete course, patient's compliance and discretion of physician. Both drugs can be prescribed in oral form. This study aimed at comparing the efficacy of two iron preparations (ferrous sulphate and iron polymaltose complex salts) in childhood iron deficiency anemia. Objective: To compare the efficacy of Ferrous Sulphate and Iron Polymaltose Complex salts in the treatment of childhood Iron Deficiency Anemia. Methodology: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at Department of Pediatric Medicine Unit-II Mayo Hospital, Lahore, for a period of 6 months. One hundred and fifty children aged 6 months to 5 years suffering from iron deficiency anemia were selected and randomly divided into two groups of 75 each (Group A and B prescribed FS and IPC respectively). Results were analyzed in terms of rise in Hb from the baseline after three months. Increase in Hb level ≥2gm/dl after three months of treatment was considered as effective. Results were analyzed by SPSS version 17. Efficacy of both the drugs, was compared by chi square test. P value ≤0.05 was accepted as significant. Results: There were 34 cases (22.7%) in 6-12 months age, 77 cases (51.3%) between 1-3 years age and 39 cases (26%) between 3-5 years age. The number of male and female children was 82 (54.7%) and 68 (45.3%) respectively. The baseline hemoglobin of all study cases was 6.64±1.08gm/dl (6.59±1.13gm/dl in Group A and 6.69±1.04gm/dl in Group B). At completion of therapy, the mean hemoglobin of all study cases was 9.15±1.21gm/dl (9.20±1.17gm/dl in Group A and 9.11±1.25gm/dl in Group B). The difference between both groups was insignificant on statistical analysis. The observed rise in hemoglobin of all cases was 2.52±0.67gm/dl (2.62±0.61gm/dl in group A and 2.42±0.71gm/dl in group B). The difference between both groups was statistically insignificant. The observed efficacy among all study cases was seen in 96% cases (97.33% in group A and 94.67% in group B) with insignificant statistical difference. Conclusion: It was concluded that there was no significant difference in the efficacy of two drugs given for iron deficiency anemia in children. Ferrous sulphate salts are economical compared to iron polymaltose complex (IPC) and have equal efficacy without compromising untoward effects.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com