Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose for the management of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia in children and adolescents: a review

Iron deficiency is the primary cause of anaemia worldwide and is particularly common among children and adolescents. Intravenous (IV) iron therapy is recommended for paediatric patients with certain comorbidities or if oral iron treatment has been unsuccessful. IV ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) has recently been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in children aged > 1 year. This narrative review provides an overview of the available publications on the efficacy and safety of IV FCM in children and adolescents. A literature search using PubMed and Embase yielded 153 publications; 33 contained clinical data or reports on clinical experience relating to IV FCM in subjects Conclusion: The available publications indicate that IV FCM, a nanomedicine with a unique and distinctive therapeutic profile, is an effective and generally well-tolerated treatment for iron deficiency or iron deficiency anaemia in children and adolescents. Despite the wealth of retrospective evidence, prospective, randomised controlled trials in the paediatric setting are still necessary. What is Known:• Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia are usually managed using oral iron therapy, but intravenous iron therapy is recommended for certain paediatric patients.• Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) has recently been approved in the US for use in children aged > 1 year. What is New:• Despite evidence that FCM is effective and generally well tolerated in children and adolescents, so far, only retrospective studies, non-randomised uncontrolled prospective studies, or case reports have been published in full.• There is a strong need for prospective, randomised controlled trials on FCM in the paediatric setting.