Clinical and laboratory characteristics of refractory microcytic hypochromic anemia pediatric patients

Introduction Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common disease responsible for a wide range of disability and morbidity especially in young children, and it can cause irreversible neurocognitive problems in the early one thousand days of life. Oral therapy is the most common type of drug used and is more convenient and cost-effective. Some patients had anemia that is refractory to oral iron therapy.Subjects and Methods A total of 102 patients with refractory anemia were enrolled during the period from July 2021 to end of June 2023.Results Out of 102 patients, only 42 had IDA, and 30 patients were thalassemia carrier (23 alpha thalassemia, 7 beta thalassemia), while other patients had different causes for anemia. The most commonly used oral drug was iron hydroxide polymaltose, used in 71.6% of cases, while liposomal iron use is still not widely prevalent among physicians and patients.Conclusion Many causes of IDA are present, and patients should be well assessed before considered iron refractory.