COMPARISON OF EFFICACY OF IRON SUCROSE VS IRON POLYMALTOSE COMPLEX IN THE TREATMENT OF IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA IN CHILDREN

Abstract

Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common nutritional anemia affecting children globally and contributes significantly to morbidity and developmental delays. While iron sucrose has been extensively studied in adult populations, especially in pregnancy, limited data exists comparing its efficacy with iron polymaltose complex in pediatric patients. Given the importance of effective and well-tolerated treatment options for children, this study aimed to provide clinical evidence to guide iron replacement therapy in pediatric IDA.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of iron polymaltose complex versus intravenous iron sucrose in increasing hemoglobin levels in children diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, from October 11, 2024, to April 11, 2025. A total of 110 children aged 6 months to 5 years with confirmed IDA were randomized into two treatment groups. Group A received intravenous iron sucrose (5 mg/kg/day), and Group B received oral iron polymaltose complex (6 mg/kg/day) for eight weeks. Hemoglobin levels were measured at baseline and after treatment to assess efficacy, defined as an increase of ≥2 g/dl. Data were analyzed using SPSS 23 with p≤0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: The mean age was 3.11 ± 1.37 years in the sucrose group and 3.73 ± 1.46 years in the polymaltose group. Male participants constituted 48.5% in the sucrose group and 51.5% in the polymaltose group. Efficacy was achieved in 38 patients (57.6%) treated with sucrose and 28 patients (42.4%) treated with polymaltose (p = 0.052). Mean hemoglobin increase was 2.25 g/dl in the sucrose group and 1.63 g/dl in the polymaltose group (p = 0.011).

Conclusion: Both iron sucrose and polymaltose are viable treatments for pediatric IDA. Although iron sucrose demonstrated a greater mean increase in hemoglobin, the difference in overall efficacy was not statistically significant. Treatment choice should consider individual patient factors including tolerance, adherence, and accessibility.