Maintenance intravenous iron therapy in pediatric hemodialysis patients

Iron supplementation is required for optimal response to erythropoietin (EPO) in hemodialysis patients. This is due to blood lost in the dialysis tubing after dialysis and the increased demand for iron by EPO therapy. Maintenance intravenous (IV) iron was administered according to a standardized protocol to pediatric patients on hemodialysis in our institution. The effect of this protocol on EPO dose, iron indices, anemia, and medication costs was evaluated. Data on two groups of patients were retrieved from the health records. Group I (n=14) consisted of patients treated in the 18 months prior to the protocol. These patients received oral iron supplements and occasional IV iron. Group 2 (n=5) consisted of all patients treated with the IV iron protocol. There was no difference in clinical characteristics and mean values for monthly hemoglobin, serum iron, ferritin, and transferrin saturation between groups. The dose of EPO was significantly reduced in group 2 compared with group 1 (193.9+/-121.4 vs. 73.9+/-39.0 units/kg per week, P<0.05). Medication costs were reduced by 26% in group 2. No significant adverse events were seen. Maintenance IV iron reduced the dose of EPO required to maintain blood hemoglobin levels. Our results also suggest that maintenance IV iron is a more-economic method of iron supplementation for pediatric hemodialysis patients.