EFFECT OF IRON-SUPPLEMENTED TOTAL PARENTERAL-NUTRITION IN PATIENTS WITH IRON-DEFICIENCY ANEMIA

Iron deficiency anemia is common among hospitalized patients, and bloo d losses from diagnostic phlebotomy increase the likelihood of a negat ive iron balance. The role for iron supplementation of total parentera l nutrition (TPN) in these patients is unclear. Twenty-three patients with iron deficiency anemia were identified. Twelve patients were rand omized to receive TPN without iron (group 1) and 11 received TPN suppl emented with 10 mg of iron as iron dextran daily (group 2). Both group s were matched for age, serum iron studies, red cell indices, and hemo gram. After a 7-d period, the mean serum iron in group 2 increased fro m 10 to 26 mu g/dL, with an increased transferrin saturation from 7.3 to 15.3% (each, p < 0.05). No changes in total iron binding capacity, ferritin, reticulocyte count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, or mean corpuscu lar volume were observed in the two groups. The incidence of infectiou s complications was not different between both groups. We conclude tha t iron supplementation of TPN appears safe and is effective in increas ing serum iron levels. The use of iron-supplemented short-term TPN nee ds to be further studied given no change in red cell indices, hemoglob in, hematocrit, or transfusion requirement.