Lactoferrin for iron-deficiency anemia in children with inflammatory bowel disease: a clinical trial

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#anemia-iron-deficiency #child #chronic-disease #female #ferritins

Lactoferrin for iron-deficiency anemia in children with inflammatory bowel disease: a clinical trial

El et al., 2022 | Pediatr Res | Rct

Citation

El Amrousy Doaa, El-Afify Dalia, ... Nassar Mohammed. Lactoferrin for iron-deficiency anemia in children with inflammatory bowel disease: a clinical trial. Pediatr Res. 2022-Sep;92(3):762-766. doi:10.1038/s41390-022-02136-2

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) is common in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, oral iron supplements are commonly associated with poor compliance due to gastrointestinal side effects. We compared the effect of lactoferrin versus oral ferrous sulfate for the treatment of IDA in children with IBD. METHODS: Ninety-two IBD children with IDA were included but only 80 children completed the study and they were randomized into two groups: ferrous sulfate group (n = 40) who received ferrous sulfate 6 mg/kg/day for 3 months and lactoferrin group (n = 40) who received lactoferrin 100 mg/day for 3 months. Complete blood count, serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation (TS), serum ferritin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and hepcidin 25 were measured before and after the treatment. RESULTS: Hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume, serum iron, TS, and serum ferritin significantly increased, while TIBC decreased significantly after the administration of either ferrous sulfate or lactoferrin compared to their baseline data. In addition, lactoferrin significantly increased Hb, serum iron, TS, and serum ferritin compared to ferrous sulfate. Moreover, lactoferrin significantly decreased IL-6 and hepcidin levels. CONCLUSION: Lactoferrin is a promising effective treatment with fewer side effects than oral elemental iron in children with IBD and IDA. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered at www.pactr.org (PACTR202002763901803). IMPACT: Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is treated with oral iron therapy; however, oral iron supplements are commonly associated with poor compliance due to gastrointestinal side effects. To the best of our knowledge, our study was the first in pediatrics that compared the effect of lactoferrin versus oral ferrous sulfate as an iron supplement for the treatment of IDA in children with IBD. We found that lactoferrin is a promising effective treatment with fewer side effects than oral elemental iron in children with IBD and IDA.

Key Findings

Hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume, serum iron, TS, and serum ferritin significantly increased, while TIBC decreased significantly after the administration of either ferrous sulfate or lactoferrin compared to their baseline data. In addition, lactoferrin significantly increased Hb, serum iron, TS, and serum ferritin compared to ferrous sulfate. Moreover, lactoferrin significantly decreased IL-6 and hepcidin levels.

Outcomes Measured

  • inflammatory markers

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 40
Age Range See abstract
Condition deficiency

MeSH Terms

  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency
  • Child
  • Chronic Disease
  • Female
  • Ferritins
  • Ferrous Compounds
  • Hemoglobins
  • Hepcidins
  • Humans
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
  • Interleukin-6
  • Iron
  • Lactoferrin
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Vertical: iron-pregnancy

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09