COMPARISON OF EFFICACY OF ORAL VS IV IRON THERAPY IN CHILDREN AGED 12-59 MONTHS, WITH IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA

Iron deficiency anemia is a leading cause of morbidity among children under five years of age and continues to contribute substantially to poor child health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. Early childhood is a critical period for growth and neurodevelopment, and iron deficiency during this stage may result in long-term adverse effects on cognitive function, psychomotor development, behavior, and immunity.

Oral iron supplementation remains the standard treatment for iron deficiency anemia; however, treatment success is frequently affected by poor adherence resulting from gastrointestinal side effects, unpleasant taste, prolonged treatment duration, and inconsistent caregiver administration. These limitations may delay hematologic recovery and restoration of iron stores.

Intravenous iron sucrose has emerged as a potential alternative for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia. It allows direct replenishment of iron stores, may achieve a more rapid increase in hemoglobin levels, and eliminates issues related to gastrointestinal absorption and daily medication adherence. Despite these potential advantages, evidence comparing intravenous and oral iron therapy in young children is limited, particularly in resource-constrained settings.

This randomized controlled trial will evaluate and compare the effectiveness and safety of oral iron therapy and intravenous iron sucrose therapy in children aged 12-59 months diagnosed with moderate iron deficiency anemia. The study findings are expected to provide locally relevant evidence to support clinical decision-making and optimize treatment strategies for pediatric iron deficiency anemia.

Inclusion criteria

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. Age 12-59 months.

• Diagnosed with moderate iron deficiency anemia
• Hemoglobin level 7-9.9 g/dL
• Parents or guardians willing to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

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• Mild anemia and Severe anemia (Hb <7 g/dL)/ requiring blood transfusion
• Known hemoglobinopathies (e.g., thalassemia)
• Acute severe infection or inflammatory disease
• Previous iron therapy within the last 4 weeks/ Blood transfusion
• Known hypersensitivity to iron preparations
• Those who are not willing to participate.