Comparison between oral ferrous ascorbate and colloidal iron in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia

Abstract

Background: Anemia is a global health issue. There is association of impaired cognition and iron deficiency anemia. Ferrous and ferric forms of oral iron preparations are available for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia. This study was conducted with an aim to compare the efficacy and safety of oral ferrous ascorbate and colloidal iron in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia.Methods: It was a prospective interventional study with 12 weeks of treatment protocols alternatively assigned to children diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia. Patients received either of two iron preparation used in study and they were assessed at week 0, 4, 8 and 12.Results: Hemoglobin (gm%) significantly increased from 7.40 to 12.87 in ferrous ascorbate group and from 7.24 to 11.32 in colloidal iron group at the end of 12 weeks of treatment (p<0.05). There was significant increase in corrected reticulocyte count (%) from 0.52 to 1.39 in ferrous ascorbate group and from 0.42 to 1.27 in colloidal iron group (p<0.05). Serum ferritin (mcg/liter) was also significantly increased from 11.54 to 21.53 in ferrous ascorbate group and from 10.57 to 20.52 in colloidal iron group at the end of 12 weeks (p<0.05).Conclusions: The present study concluded that the ferrous ascorbate is an efficient oral iron supplement in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in the pediatric age group compared to colloidal iron.