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The Effect of Intramuscular Iron‐dextran Complex 1 on Iron‐deficiency Anaemia in Otherwise Ill Infants and Pre‐school Children
Author(s) -
LANZKOWSKY PHILIP
Publication year - 1961
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.1961.tb08018.x
Subject(s) - medicine , iron deficiency , intramuscular injection , dextran , anemia , pediatrics , physiology , gastroenterology , surgery , biochemistry , biology
Summary 1. One hundred and twenty‐five ill infants and children who were found to have iron‐deficiency anaemia were treated with intramuscular iron‐dextran complex with doses varying from 100 to 400 mg, concurrent with treatment for the presenting illness. 2. The mean haemoglobin levels before treatment ranged from 8.91 g% to 9.61 g% in the various age groups; at 3 weeks after the injection of iron the mean haemoglobin levels were found to range between 10.12 g% and 10.80 g% and at 6 weeks after injection the mean haemoglobin levels had risen further to range between 10.75 g% and 12.0 g%. There was thus an approximate general rise of 2 g% of haemoglobin in 6 weeks. Clinically the beneficial effects were quite striking, and occurred often within days. 3. The results of this investigation indicate that intramuscular iron‐dextran complex can significantly raise the haemoglobin level in infants and children who have iron‐deficiency anaemia with a variety of associated illnesses, of all degrees of severity, and of largely undetermined duration. In addition, iron‐dextran complex was found to be safe and easy to administer. 4. The factors influencing rate of recovery from iron‐deficiency anaemia after intramuscular iron‐dextran complex, the theoretical dangers of iron overload and the possible production of sarcomata in iron‐injected tissue are discussed.