Iron deficiency anaemia: continuous versus intermittent treatment in anaemic children

Abstract

Iron deficiency anaemia is a common disorder among paediatric population. Traditionally, oral iron is given for treatment on daily basis. We undertook this study to compare the results of intermittent with continuous oral iron therapy in children. The study was conducted at Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Lahore. Children (aged 1 to 6) with iron deficiency anaemia (Hb 11 g/dl) were allocated at random into two groups, A (n = 27) and B (n = 28). The mean Hb of group A, before treatment, was 8.56 (+/- 1.51) g/dl and that of group B was 8.32 (+/- 1.68) g/dl. Group A was given daily oral dosage of 6 mg/kg of elementAL iron whereas group B was given the same dosage of iron but only 3 days a week. After 2 months of treatment the Hb of group A rose to a mean of 11.06 (+/- 0.72) g/dl and that of group B was increased to 11.3 (+/- 0.90) g/dl, respectively. The difference, in the rise of Hb of two groups, was not statistically significant. It was concluded that in our sample of population, the results of intermittent and continuous oral iron therapy, for iron deficiency anaemia in children aged 1 to 6 years, were identical.