Iron-Deficiency Anemia in Childhood Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Treatment with Intravenous Iron-Dextran

A prospective protocol for iron replacement was used in six children with severe inflammatory bowel disease who had iron-deficiency anemia. All were given a single total-dose infusion of iron-dextran after a taper of the parenteral nutrition solution. Each had hematologic and biochemical correction of their iron-deficiency anemia. As outlined, intravenous iron-dextran appears to be a safe, efficacious, and practical method of iron repletion in children with inflammatory bowel disease who require prolonged parenteral nutrition and bowel rest.