Evaluation and Management of Iron Deficiency in Children Undergoing Intestinal Rehabilitation—A Position Paper From the NASPGHAN Intestinal Rehabilitation Special Interest Group

Abstract

Iron deficiency (ID) is the most common nutritional deficiency affecting children undergoing intestinal rehabilitation (IR). Patients may be asymptomatic or present with nonspecific symptoms including fatigue, irritability, and dizziness. The diagnosis of ID in this population can be complicated by the coexistence of systemic inflammation or other nutritional deficiencies which may mimic ID. Many routinely available laboratory tests lack specificity and no consensus on screening is available. Success in oral and enteral treatment is impeded by poor tolerance of iron formulations in a population already challenged with intolerance. Newer parenteral iron formulations exhibit excellent safety profiles, but their role in repletion in this population remains unclear. The following report, compiled by a multidisciplinary group of providers caring for children undergoing IR and representing the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Special Interest Group for Intestinal Rehabilitation, seeks to address these challenges. After discussing iron physiology and population-specific pathophysiology, we make recommendations on iron intake, iron status assessment, and evaluation for alternative causes of anemia. We then provide recommendations on iron supplementation and treatment of ID anemia specific to this nutritionally vulnerable population.