Objective: To assess the effects of supplementation with oral iron(III) hydroxide polymaltose complex on the iron status of adolescents with and without iron deficiency and anemia.
Method: Adolescents of both sexes with varying iron status were allocated to four treatment groups by using inclusion criteria. Three of the four groups received iron(III) hydroxide polymaltose complex (IPC, Maltofer) containing 100 mg of iron 6 days a week for 8 months. The fourth group was given a placebo. Hematological parameters were assessed at the baseline and after 4 and 8 months of supplementation.
Results: IPC supplementation resulted in a significant increase in iron parameters in all the three supplemented groups including correction of iron deficiency and anemia along with improvement in storage iron after 8 months. No side effects were noted in any of the supplemented subjects.
Conclusions: IPC supplementation improved the iron status of adolescents with and without iron deficiency and anemia. These data provide evidence that IPC is an easy-to-administer and well tolerated compound which can improve and normalize the iron status of iron deficient and anemic patients.