Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common type of anemia related to malnutrition worldwide. It represents a major problem in developing countries, especially in Egypt. Ferric pyrophosphate (FPP) is a water-insoluble iron compound often used to fortify infant cereals and chocolate drink powders. It causes no adverse color and flavor changes to food vehicles. This study was done to compare the efficacy of FPP (micro dispersed iron) and ferrous sulfate (FS) in treating childhood IDA.
Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted on 58 anemic children visiting the outpatient clinic, pediatric department of Menoufia University hospitals from March 2017 to June 2019. The inclusion criteria of the involved children were age 2 - 12 years and the diagnosis of IDA. Patients with other types of anemia were excluded from the study. Verbal permission was obtained from the parents of the children according to the ethical committee of Menoufia University. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group1 included 29 children who were treated with FPP and group2 included 29 children who were treated with oral traditional iron in the form of FS. Complete blood count and iron profile were recorded before and after 8 weeks of treatment.
Results: The results showed no statistically significant difference between the FPP group and the FS group regarding clinical examinations (P-value > 0.05). There was no significant difference regarding hemoglobin, serum iron, and serum ferritin between the FPP and the FS groups after treatment (P-value> 0.05). However, side effects were significantly higher in the FS group (P-value > 0.001).
Conclusion: Micro dispersed iron could be used as an alternative therapy for children with IDA who refuse oral iron therapy in a liquid form with more tolerability and fewer side effects.
Background: Oxidative stress is fundamental in initiating pathophysiological mechanisms leading to premature hemolysis resulting in iron overload in patients with beta thalassemia. Peroxiredoxin 2 (Prdx2) is one of the crucial cytoprotective and antioxidant systems that play a key role against oxidation. Our aim was to investigate serum Prdx2 levels in children with betathalassemia and to explore its possible relations with iron overload. Methods: The patients were divided into two groups: beta thalassemia major (BTM) group (n=40) and beta thalassemia intermedia (BTI) group (n=20). To compare serum Prdx2 and iron status parameters levels, a control group (n=20) was include in the study. Serum Prdx2 levels were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay technique. Serum levels of iron and ferritin were measured using automated chemistry analyzer and electrochemiluminescence immunoassay respectively. Results: Serum Prdx2 concentrations in thalassemia major patients were significantly lower than those in thalassemia intermedia patients (P= 0.026); and Prdx2 concentrations in thalassemia intermedia patients were significantly lower than those in control group (P<0.001). In both thalassemia major and intermedia groups, serum Prdx2 concentration was positively correlated with serum iron (r = 0.558, P=0.002; r = 0.718, P=0.004, respectively) and ferritin levels (r = 0.422, P=0.007; r = 0.550, P=0.012, respectively). Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the positive association between Prdx2 and iron overload in thalassaemia patients. These findings may suggest unconventional therapeutic approach to control consequences of iron overload through modification of Prx2 activity.
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