Safety and effectiveness of iron sucrose therapy in paediatric patients with iron deficiency anaemia: a single-institution retrospective study

Abstract Background Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency among children globally. Intravenous (IV) iron serves as an alternative treatment for paediatric patients with poor response to oral iron therapy. However, data on the use of IV iron sucrose treatment in C...

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Main Authors: Shasha Zhao, Jingying Cheng, Liqiang Zhang, Jiafeng Yao, Jin Jiang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:BMC Pediatrics
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-025-05894-0
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author Shasha Zhao
Jingying Cheng
Liqiang Zhang
Jiafeng Yao
Jin Jiang
author_facet Shasha Zhao
Jingying Cheng
Liqiang Zhang
Jiafeng Yao
Jin Jiang
author_sort Shasha Zhao
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency among children globally. Intravenous (IV) iron serves as an alternative treatment for paediatric patients with poor response to oral iron therapy. However, data on the use of IV iron sucrose treatment in Chinese children remain limited. Methods This retrospective study evaluated 40 paediatric patients with IDA (≤ 18 years) treated with IV iron sucrose at Beijing Children’s Hospital (July 2022-December 2023). Demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were analysed before and after therapy. Results Among the paediatric patients, 22 were male, 18 were female, and 19 were adolescent children older than 12 years. The average haemoglobin concentration increased from 75.6 g/L to 124.9 g/L, and the haematological response rates at both 4 and 8 weeks post-IV treatment were 100% and 97.5%, respectively. The average MCV increased from 67.6 fL to 82.4 fL, and the mean MCH increased from 18.8 pg to 26.5 pg. The mean MCHC increased from 276.2 g/L to 315.3 g/L. The median ferritin level increased from a pre-IV median of 5 ng/ml to a post-IV median of 85.9 ng/ml. Similarly, the serum iron level increased from a pre-IV median of 2.3 µmol/L to a post-IV median of 14.5 µmol/L. The mean TSAT increased appropriately from 2.9% pre-IV to 22.4% post-IV. A total of 36/40 children had a ferritin value greater than 30 ng/ml post-IV. The incidence of adverse reactions was 2.5% (1/40). Conclusion IV iron sucrose is safe and effective for Chinese paediatric patients with IDA who are unresponsive to oral iron.
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spelling doaj-art-e9aa0c9e53c144a6a6055253bfab005e2025-08-20T03:42:03ZengBMCBMC Pediatrics1471-24312025-08-012511610.1186/s12887-025-05894-0Safety and effectiveness of iron sucrose therapy in paediatric patients with iron deficiency anaemia: a single-institution retrospective studyShasha Zhao0Jingying Cheng1Liqiang Zhang2Jiafeng Yao3Jin Jiang4Department of Hematology, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s HealthDepartment of Hematology, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s HealthDepartment of Hematology, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s HealthDepartment of Hematology, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s HealthDepartment of Hematology, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s HealthAbstract Background Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency among children globally. Intravenous (IV) iron serves as an alternative treatment for paediatric patients with poor response to oral iron therapy. However, data on the use of IV iron sucrose treatment in Chinese children remain limited. Methods This retrospective study evaluated 40 paediatric patients with IDA (≤ 18 years) treated with IV iron sucrose at Beijing Children’s Hospital (July 2022-December 2023). Demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were analysed before and after therapy. Results Among the paediatric patients, 22 were male, 18 were female, and 19 were adolescent children older than 12 years. The average haemoglobin concentration increased from 75.6 g/L to 124.9 g/L, and the haematological response rates at both 4 and 8 weeks post-IV treatment were 100% and 97.5%, respectively. The average MCV increased from 67.6 fL to 82.4 fL, and the mean MCH increased from 18.8 pg to 26.5 pg. The mean MCHC increased from 276.2 g/L to 315.3 g/L. The median ferritin level increased from a pre-IV median of 5 ng/ml to a post-IV median of 85.9 ng/ml. Similarly, the serum iron level increased from a pre-IV median of 2.3 µmol/L to a post-IV median of 14.5 µmol/L. The mean TSAT increased appropriately from 2.9% pre-IV to 22.4% post-IV. A total of 36/40 children had a ferritin value greater than 30 ng/ml post-IV. The incidence of adverse reactions was 2.5% (1/40). Conclusion IV iron sucrose is safe and effective for Chinese paediatric patients with IDA who are unresponsive to oral iron.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-025-05894-0PaediatricIron deficiency anaemiaIntravenous ironIron sucrose
spellingShingle Shasha Zhao
Jingying Cheng
Liqiang Zhang
Jiafeng Yao
Jin Jiang
Safety and effectiveness of iron sucrose therapy in paediatric patients with iron deficiency anaemia: a single-institution retrospective study
BMC Pediatrics
Paediatric
Iron deficiency anaemia
Intravenous iron
Iron sucrose
title Safety and effectiveness of iron sucrose therapy in paediatric patients with iron deficiency anaemia: a single-institution retrospective study
title_full Safety and effectiveness of iron sucrose therapy in paediatric patients with iron deficiency anaemia: a single-institution retrospective study
title_fullStr Safety and effectiveness of iron sucrose therapy in paediatric patients with iron deficiency anaemia: a single-institution retrospective study
title_full_unstemmed Safety and effectiveness of iron sucrose therapy in paediatric patients with iron deficiency anaemia: a single-institution retrospective study
title_short Safety and effectiveness of iron sucrose therapy in paediatric patients with iron deficiency anaemia: a single-institution retrospective study
title_sort safety and effectiveness of iron sucrose therapy in paediatric patients with iron deficiency anaemia a single institution retrospective study
topic Paediatric
Iron deficiency anaemia
Intravenous iron
Iron sucrose
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-025-05894-0
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