Association between iron deficit repletion with ferric carboxymaltose relative to iron sucrose in children with inflammatory bowel disease: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract Background Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia are common in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease and often require supplementation with iron. There is a paucity of literature regarding optimal iron formulation. The aim of this study is to compare outcomes in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease receiving either iron sucrose or ferric carboxymaltose during inpatient hospitalizations. Methods This was a single‐center retrospective study of pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease admitted for newly diagnosed disease or flare who received either iron sucrose or ferric carboxymaltose. Linear regression was used to assess differences in iron repletion. Longitudinal linear mixed‐effects models and generalized estimating equations compared hematologic and iron outcomes 6 months post–iron repletion. Results Thirty patients received ferric carboxymaltose. Sixty‐nine patients received iron sucrose. Baseline hemoglobin and iron deficits were similar in both groups. A larger percentage of iron deficit was repleted in the ferric carboxymaltose group (81.4%) compared with iron sucrose (25.9%) ( P < 0.001) with fewer infusions. Cumulative doses of ferric carboxymaltose administered (18.7 mg/kg) were higher than iron sucrose (6.1 mg/kg) ( P < 0.001). Hemoglobin increased more quickly with ferric carboxymaltose compared with iron sucrose ( P = 0.04 and P = 0.02, respectively). Total iron binding capacity and red cell distribution width levels decreased more over time with ferric carboxymaltose vs iron sucrose ( P < 0.01 and P = 0.01, respectively). No adverse effects were seen. Conclusions Hematologic and iron parameters responded more quickly with fewer infusions in patients who received ferric carboxymaltose vs iron sucrose. Patients who received ferric carboxymaltose achieved a higher percentage of iron deficit repleted.