ORAL IRON SUPPLEMENTS IN PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF SIDEROPENIC ANEMIA IN CHILDREN

Abstract

Sideropenic anemia  occurs due to reduced intake of dietary iron, gastrointestinal tract iron absorption disorder, blood loss or increased needs of the body for iron. It is estimated that about 30% of world population is affected by sideropenic anemia, of which more than 40% are preschool children. In the prevention of sideropenic anemia, it is important to educate parents and the population about the importance of proper nutrition and the intake of iron in the body through food. It is of utmost importance to determine the cause of anemia, with treatment objective to normalize hemoglobin, serum iron and replenish iron reserves.  Sideropenic anemia is treated with oral iron supplements, organic or inorganic iron salts in divalent (fero) or trivalent (feri) form.  This work provides a systematic review of current guidelines, recommendations and procedures used for the prevention and treatment of sideropenic anemia in the pediatric population. Moreover, the paper provides an overview of oral iron preparations, which are registered medications, nutritional supplements and infant formulas represented on the Croatian market.