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Management of iron deficiency anemia: A survey of pediatric hematology/oncology specialists
- Source :
- Pediatric Blood & Cancer. 62:842-846
- Publication Year :
- 2015
- Publisher :
- Wiley, 2015.
-
Abstract
- Background Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common hematologic condition in children and adolescents in the United States (US). No prior reports have described the management of IDA by a large cohort of pediatric hematology/oncology specialists. Procedure A 20-question electronic survey that solicited responses to two hypothetical cases of IDA was sent to active members of the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (ASPHO) in the US. Results Of 1,217 recipients, 398 (32.7%) reported regularly treating IDA and completed the survey. In a toddler with nutritional IDA, 15% (N = 61) of respondents reported ordering no diagnostic test beyond a complete blood count. Otherwise, wide variability in laboratory testing was reported. For treatment, most respondents would prescribe ferrous sulfate (N = 335, 84%) dosed at 6 mg/kg/day (N = 248, 62%) divided twice daily (N = 272, 68%). The recommended duration of iron treatment after resolution of anemia and normalized serum ferritin varied widely from 0 to 3 months. For an adolescent with heavy menstrual bleeding and IDA, most respondents recommended ferrous sulfate (N = 327, 83%), with dosing based on the number of tablets daily. For IDA refractory to oral treatment, intravenous iron therapy was recommended most frequently, 48% (N = 188) using iron sucrose, 17% (N = 68) ferric gluconate, and 15% (N = 60) low molecular weight iron dextran. Conclusion The approach to diagnosis and treatment of IDA in childhood was widely variable among responding ASPHO members. Given the lack of an evidence base to guide clinical decision making, further research investigating IDA management is needed. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:842–846. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
- Subjects :
- medicine.medical_specialty
Pediatrics
Hematology
medicine.diagnostic_test
Anemia
Cross-sectional study
business.industry
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Complete blood count
Iron sucrose
medicine.disease
Oncology
Iron-deficiency anemia
hemic and lymphatic diseases
Internal medicine
Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health
medicine
Toddler
business
medicine.drug
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 15455009
- Volume :
- 62
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Pediatric Blood & Cancer
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi...........9366f6149ea16ace9cea3d3c2e49861b