FERROUS SULFATE VS. FERROUS GLUCONATE: EFFECTS ON HEMOGLOBIN AND FERRITIN IN YOUNG CHILDREN WITH IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA

Abstract

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common nutritional deficiency in children, especially those aged 6–36 months. This randomized controlled trial at The Children’s Hospital Lahore compared the efficacy and tolerability of ferrous sulfate (FS) and ferrous gluconate (FG) in treating IDA in 70 children. Both groups showed significant improvements in hemoglobin and ferritin levels after six weeks; however, the FG group had a greater mean increase in hemoglobin (2.8 ± 0.6 g/dL vs. 2.2 ± 0.5 g/dL, p=0.002) and ferritin (24.5 ± 6.3 ng/mL vs. 18.1 ± 5.7 ng/mL, p=0.001). FG was also better tolerated, with fewer gastrointestinal side effects (11% vs. 26%). These findings suggest that ferrous gluconate may be a more effective and tolerable option for treating IDA in young children, warranting further investigation through larger multicenter studies.