Treatment options for iron deficiency anemia in children in Saudi Arabia

Background: Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is the most common haematological disorder in children, with a prevalence of 20.1% between the ages of 0 and 4 and 5.9% between the ages of 5 and 14 (39 and 48.1% in developing countries). Methods: The laboratory reveals microcytic-hypochromic anaemia (low Hb, MCV, MCH, and RDW) with a low reticulocyte count. Low ferritin, sideremia, transferrin saturation, and high unsaturated serum transferrin levels are all observed. Results: Every day, new frontiers in its diagnosis and therapeutic options emerge; recently, innovative iron formulations for oral and parenteral administration have been launched, with the goal of offering treatment schedules with higher efficacy and lower toxicity. Conclusion: The current article reports the most recent clinically relevant findings regarding IDA in children and provides practical guidance, particularly in selecting the most appropriate therapy strategies.