Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is common in children. Limited data exist on the efficacy and safety of ferumoxytol in children.
Objective: To assess the efficacy of 10 mg/kg dose given over 15-60 minutes in correcting IDA and report any adverse drug reactions (ADRs).
Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all patients who received ferumoxytol infusions for the management of IDA by the Pediatric Blood Management Program between October 2010 and March 2015.
Results: A total of 110 infusions were given to 54 patients. Compared with baseline preinfusion hemoglobin (Hb; 9.2 ± 1.9 g/dL), a significant rise was seen at 1 week and 4 weeks postinfusion (11.5 ± 1.5 and 11.8 ± 1.7 g/dL, respectively, P < 0.001). Also, a significant rise in serum ferritin at 1 week and 4 weeks postinfusion was seen (51 ± 71 vs 192 ± 148 and 89 ± 135 ng/mL, P < 0.001 and <0.035, respectively). Patients who concomitantly received erythropoietin had a significantly larger Hb rise from baseline than those who did not at 4 weeks (2.7 ± 2.2 vs 1.6 ± 1.1 g/dL, P < 0.017). ADRs included pruritus (n = 1), urticaria (n = 1), and multisymptom episodes (n = 3) that included shortness of breath, chest tightness, back pain, and epigastric cramping that responded to therapy with IV diphenhydramine and methylprednisolone.
Conclusion: Ferumoxytol was effective in treating IDA in our small study. Slow infusion rate and close monitoring allowed early detection of the infrequent ADRs.
Keywords: erythropoietin; ferumoxytol; inflammatory bowel disease; intravenous iron; iron deficiency anemia; malabsorption; pediatric anemia; short gut.