Parenteral Iron Therapy in the Pediatric Patient: A Review

Abstract

For more than 50 years, iron dextran has been the mainstay of parenteral iron therapy in the United States. In October 2009, the Food and Drug Administration expanded its existing black box warning that cautioned practitioners to administer a test dose first because of the risk of anaphylactic, often fatal adverse reactions. It further modified the warning, stating that fatal reactions can still occur even in patients who tolerated the test dose. As a result, health care providers have sought safer alternatives to parenteral iron dextran when oral iron repletion is not an option. The purpose of this review is to discuss the currently available formulations, with a focus on the needs of the pediatric patient, in whom there is limited experience in using products other than iron dextran. © 2011, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved.