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Suggest ICAR Dosage For Child With Severe Iron Deficiency Anemia

Posted on Thu, 24 Apr 2014

Question: Hi, my 15mo child (25 lbs) was just recently diagnose with severe iron anemia. He received a blood transfusion at the hospital. At outpatient, Dr prescribed ICAR 15mg/1.25ml ( 1.25ml twice daily for 30 days). I read manufacturer maximum dosage for 15 mo child is 15mg once daily. Am I overdosing my child 15mg twice daily? Thanks for your help. Concern parent

Answered by Dr. T Shobha Deepak (2 hours later)

Brief Answer: The dose is acceptable Detailed Answer: Hi Welcome to Healthcare-Magic Greetings of the day Let me reassure you there is no cause for concern. A child with severe iron deficiency anemia has severe depletion of iron stores. Therapeutic dosage of Iron is 3mg/kilogram of body weight in two divided doses. As the weight of child is 25 lbs ( 11.2 kg) , the dosage required per day is 33.6mg in two divided doses that is approximately 15mg per dose. That is what you are exactly giving. The manufacturer usually mention the prophylaxis dose which is 1.2 mg per kilogram per day. It comes to 15 mg per day. Iron in case of your child needs to be given at therapeutic dosage. One more reassuring thing is once the iron stores are replenished after supplementation the oral absorption of Iron decreases. This is bodies self regulatory mechanism to prevent overload. Wishing you and your family a very happy and healthy life. Take care Best Regards Dr T Shobha Deepak MBBS, MD

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar