Evaluation of the prescription pattern of ferrous sulfate as a therapy for preventing iron deficiency anemia in infants

Abstract

Background: Iron deficiency prevalence in infants is high. Therefore, iron supplementation has been recommended and specified as a program. This study aimed to determine the characteristics of the prescription of ferrous sulfate as a preventive therapy for iron deficiency anemia in young infants. Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study of clinical records of young infants with eight visits per year. We analyzed a total of 287 records. The prescription characteristics included five criteria: prescription indication, age at prescription, dosage, periodicity, and time. These characteristics were scored as follows: 1 point when it was considered adequate and 0 when it was considered inadequate; the minimum possible score was 0, and the maximum possible score was 5 points. Statistical analysis included percentages and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: The prescription pattern of ferrous sulfate as preventive therapy in infants under one year of age was indicated in 100% of the records reviewed. All five criteria were met in 18.1% of the reviewed records (95%CI 13.6–22.6). The lowest compliance corresponded to adequate dosage (29.2%; 95%CI 23.9–34.5). Age at prescription was correct in 75.9% (95%CI 70.9–80.9); duration of prescription was correct in 44.2% (95%CI 38.4–50.0), and periodicity was proper in 31.1% (95%CI 25.9–36.7) of the files reviewed. Conclusions: Compliance with the prescription of ferrous sulfate as a preventive measure for anemia in infants was not as expected; interventions are needed to reverse this behavior.