TY  - JOUR
T1  - COmplexities in recognizing and treating iron deficiency anemia
AU  - Abelson HT
Y1  - 2001/03/01
N1  - 10.1001/archpedi.155.3.332
JO  - Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
SP  - 332
EP  - 333
VL  - 155
IS  - 3
N2  - 
In this issue of the ARCHIVES, Bogen et al1 report on an attempt to screen for IDA using Hb levels as determined by the HemoCue (Drew Medical, Beaverton, Ontario) method followed by a therapeutic trial of iron. The study was conducted in an inner-city pediatric resident continuity clinic. The results are instructive and challenge our standard dogma from several perspectives. First, very few patients (7% in the iron-treated group and 5% in the non–iron-treated group) returned for follow-up within 1 month for a recheck of their Hb levels. The criterion standard for therapeutic response to iron is a rise in Hb levels of at least 10 g/L after 1 month of iron therapy. Furthermore, 37% of the treated group and 42% of the nontreated group failed to return for any follow-up within 6 months. Of those who did return for anemia follow-up within 6 months, response rates were the same in the treated and nontreated groups.

SN  - 1072-4710
M3  - doi: 10.1001/archpedi.155.3.332
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.155.3.332
ER  -