Tan MLN, et al. – The effectiveness and safety of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) were examined in children with iron deficiency anaemia. Outcomes confirmed that FCM was effective in increasing the key blood indices with no adverse outcomes in children less than 14 years of age, with a range of different conditions, the majority with gastrointestinal disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

• The authors reviewed data of all paediatric patients less than 14 years old who had received FCM infusion from August 2011 to June 2015 at the John Radcliffe Hospital (Oxford University Hospitals), UK.
• The patient demographics, significant medical history, FCM dose, and blood investigations (pre–FCM and post–FCM) were evaluated.
• Out of 51 children, 41 had inflammatory bowel disease.
• There were 24 girls and 27 boys, aged 1 to 13 years, mean (SD) weight 28.4 (13.6) kg.
• 15 patients received at least one more course of FCM up to 35 months later.
• 1 to 8 months was the time interval between pre–FCM and post–FCM investigations.
• An improved, median (range) rise in blood indices following one FCM infusion was haemoglobin 2.7 (– 2.4 to 7) g/dL, serum iron 6.6 (– 0.6 to 21.1) μmol/L, and transferrin saturation 14 (– 14 to 38)%.
• No adverse outcomes were reported.