An observational study of childhood iron deficiency anaemia and the factors affecting the outcome of oral iron therapy

Background: Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anaemia worldwide. In-depth studies examining facilitators and barriers to oral iron therapy are lacking. The aim of our study is to determine the factors affecting the outcome of oral iron therapy in iron deficiency anaemia.Methods: This is an observational study conducted in a tertiary hospital in Mumbai in children in the age group of 12 to 60 months. Out of a total of 416 children screened, 208 were eligible for oral iron therapy and were given oral iron in the dose of 3 milligrams per kilogram per day and reviewed after two months. A comprehensive questionnaire was given to parents after the completion of therapy to study the factors affecting iron therapy. The details were then analysed using Excel sheets, and correlation was calculated using SPSS program version 20.0.Results: After 2 months of oral iron therapy, IDA was corrected in 68.98%. Factors that led to an unsatisfactory outcome with iron therapy were, history of low birth weight, past hospital admissions, gastrointestinal side effects, malnutrition, and children who had tea, milk, or food with iron therapy. In contrast, children who took iron on an empty stomach and along with vitamin C-rich foods had a significant increase in haemoglobin levels.Conclusions: Various modifiable factors affect adherence and outcome of oral iron therapy. Tea and Coffee are to be avoided when the child is on iron therapy. Meticulous counselling of parents and children is pivotal for the successful management of IDA with oral iron therapy.