A comparative study for the efficacy of lactoferrin-100 versus lactoferrin-100 and ferrous gluconate versus ferric hydroxide on irondeficiency anemia.

Objective: To estimate the effect of therapeutic doses of Lactoferrin 100, Lactoferrin 100 and ferrous gluconate compound, and Ferric Hydroxide polymaltose on the outcome of Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) in pediatric age group. Methods: 150 children aged above 2 years suffering from IDA were recruited from the Outpatient Clinic of Alexandria University Children's Hospital. Children with confirmed IDA randomly allocated into three subgroups, (50 children each), Group A were treated by Lactoferrin 100, one packet for 2 times daily, Group B were treated by Lactoferrin 100 and ferrous gluconate compound, one packet for 2 times daily, Group C treated by Ferric hydroxide polymaltose 6 mg/kg/day 3 times daily, all for 3 months after diagnosis. Results: There was no significant difference in the baseline levels of Hemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin, serum iron (Fe), and total iron binding capacity among the three groups. In each group, all the biochemical indices were significantly improved when compared with baseline levels after 1.5 and 3 months of treatment (p=0.0001), but not for the mean of Fe in group A (Lactoferrin 100). There was no significant difference throughout the 3 month of treatment (p=0.700). There was a significant difference among the three groups as regards levels of Hb, iron and ferritin at 1.5 and 3 months of treatment, being the highest in the Lactoferrin 100 and ferrous gluconate compound group(B) (p=0.0001) followed by Ferric hydroxide polymaltose group(C). Conclusion: Lactoferrin with iron may be considered as a more effective alternative treatment than traditional iron salt preparations for treatment of IDA.