Algorithm for diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency in children
T.M. Vasilyeva^1,2, I.N. Zakharova¹, A.L. Zaplatnikov¹, S.I. Lazareva², E.B. Machneva<sup>1

1</sup> Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Moscow
² Children’s City clinic № 133 of the Moscow City Health Department

Iron deficiency disorders (IDD) are the most common deficiency conditions in the human population, most common in children and women of reproductive age. Depending on the degree of severity of iron deficiency in the body, the latent iron deficiency state (LID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are identified. The clinical manifestations of IDD are non-specific, and therefore their diagnosis is based on the identification of characteristic laboratory changes, which include: a decrease in the serum concentration of iron, ferritin and a decrease in the saturation index of transferrin by iron. In this case, if these laboratory markers are detected at a normal level of hemoglobin, the LID is diagnosed. In the same cases, when hypochromic, microcytic anemia takes place simultaneously with laboratory signs of iron deficiency (the criteria of which are reduction of hemoglobin concentration, decrease in the values of «blood color indices» and average volume of erythrocytes), the IDA diagnosed. At the same time, irrespective of the form of iron deficiency, the main method of therapy is the use of iron preparations. The choice of specific iron-containing drugs, as well as the way they are administered, the duration of the course of treatment and the dosage regimen depend on the initial degree of severity of iron deficiency, the age of the child and the state of the health in general.

Key words: anemia, children, iron deficiency, iron deficiency anemia, latent iron deficiency.
For citation: Vasilyeva T.M., Zakharova I.N., Zaplatnikov A.L. et al. Algorithm for diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency in children // RMJ. 2018. № 9. P. 2–7.