More Iron Infusions, Less Blood Transfusions in Kids with Inflammatory Bowel Disease; COVID-19 Transmission in Children


Briefly noted: AE Jacobson-Kelly et al. J Pediatr 2020; 222: 141-5. In this retrospective multicenter cohort study (2012-2018), the authors used the Pediatric Health Information System administrative database (n= 8007 with 28 260 admissions, <21 yrs of age). Key findings:

  • Anemia was documented in 29.8% of admissions.  IV iron was given in 6.3% of admissions and blood transfusions in 7.4%
  • A steady increase in the proportion of IBD admissions received IV iron, from 3.5% in 2012 to 10.4% in 2018 ( P < .0001), and the proportion of admissions with red cell transfusions decreased over time from 9.4% to 4.4% ( P < .0001).

Related blog posts:

 

February Briefs

JM Powers et al. J Pediatr 2017; 180: 212-6. This retrospective study details a protocol for using intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) (Injectafer) in children.  This product has become available for adults in U.S. since June 2013; it had been available in Europe since 2009. In this retrospective study, 72 pediatric patients received FCM for iron deficiency anemia (off-label); there was a good safety profile and a good response with hemoglobin increasing from 9.1 to 12.3 (4-12 weeks post infusion).  FCM is a relatively costly IV iron formulation, but can be given over 15 minutes.

L Peyrin-Biroulet et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2017; 15: 25-36.  This systemic review with more than 2800 patients showed that TNF antagonists were effective for extraintestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease, including cutaneous disorders (eg.. pyoderma gangrenosum, erythema nodosum), hematologic problems (eg anemia), ocular disorders, and rheumatologic symptoms( eg. arthralgias/arthritis).

AE Mikolajczyk et alClin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2017; 15: 17-24. Useful review of the GI/Liver manifestations of autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease. “There is not a role for therapy [for the liver] in asymptomatic patients.” Other problems reviewed included pancreatic cysts, hernias, and diverticular disease. Related posts:

T Rajalahti et al. JPGN 2017; 64: e1-6.  Among 455 patients <18 with Celiac disease, anemia was noted in 18%. This resolved in 92% after one year of a gluten-free diet.  Anemia is associated with more severe histological and serological presentation. Related posts:

FL Cameron et al. JPGN 2017; 64: 47-55. This retrospective review of 93 children treated with infliximab and 28 children with adalimumab provides data on growth after anti-TNF therapy.  This study shows that anti-TNF therapy is more likely to be associated with growth improvement when used at earlier stages of puberty.

Related blog posts:

Chattahoochee River

Chattahoochee River