Influence of supplementation with probiotic bacteria Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Latilactobacillus curvatus on selected parameters of duodenum iron metabolism in rats on a high-fat, iron-deficient diet.

OBJECTIVES: A high-fat, iron (Fe)-deficient Western diet induces obesity and dysregulates Fe metabolism. We compared the influence of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Latilactobacillus curvatus with and without Fe supplementation on duodenal Fe uptake under high-fat diet conditions. METHODS: Rats were fed a high-fat diet (HF group) or high-fat, Fe-deficient diet (HFDEF group) or control diet (C group) for 8 wk. For the next 8 wk, the rats in the C and HF groups continued on the same diet, whereas the rats in the HFDEF group were divided into six groups and fed high-fat, Fe-deficient diet combinations with L. plantarum (Lp), L. curvatus (Lc), and Fe supplementation (HFDEF, HFDEFFe, HFDEFLp, HFDEFLc, HFDEFFeLp, HFDEFFeLc). Duodenum and serum samples were collected for analysis. RESULTS: In the duodenum, the Fe content was higher in the HFDEFFeLp and HFDEFFeLc groups; the ferroportin level was higher in the HFDEFFeLp and HFDEFFeLc groups versus the HF group; the divalent metal transporter 1 level was higher in the HFDEFFeLc group versus the C and HF groups; and duodenal cytochrome B was higher in the HFDEFLc versus all the other groups. In addition, duodenal expression of the solute carrier family 11 member 2 gene was higher in the HFDEF group versus the C, HF, HFDEFFe, HFDEFFeLp, and HFDEFFeLc groups; that of the TFRC gene was higher in the HFDEFFeLc group versus the C, HF, HFDEF, and HFDEFFe groups; and that of the HJV gene was higher in the HFDEFFeLp group versus the C, HF, HFDEF, HFDEFFe, and HFDEFLc groups. CONCLUSIONS: L. plantarum and L. curvatus supplementation shows some potential to enhance duodenal cellular Fe uptake in rats on a high-fat, Fe-deficient diet.

Prevalence, Predictors, and Treatment Outcomes of Anemia in Vietnamese School-Age Children With Helicobacter pylori Infection.

Background A growing number of studies suggest that anemia caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is prevalent in developing countries. A combination of H. pylori eradication and iron supplementation may be effective in treating iron deficiency anemia (IDA) caused by H. pylori infection. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence, risk factors, and treatment outcomes of anemia in Vietnamese school-age children infected with H. pylori Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2023 to April 2024 involving 112 dyspeptic children from 5 to 16 years old who were admitted to Can Tho Children's Hospital, Vietnam. H. pylori infection was diagnosed with a positive histopathology combined with a rapid urease test. A bivariate and multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify independent variables associated with anemia in H. pylori-infected children. Results The prevalence of anemia and IDA (iron deficiency anemia) among H . pylori-infected children were 28.6% and 53.1%, respectively. The risk factor for anemia was age group from 11 to 16 years of age (OR: 3.24; CI 95%:1.21- 8.70). Iron supplementation (OR: 0.14; CI 95%:0.03 - 0.66) and periodic deworming (OR: 0.29; CI 95%: 0.10-0.89) were protective factors against anemia. After H. pyroli eradication and iron supplementation, all hematological parameters were increased among 32 anemic patients. Hemoglobin increased from 9.9 ±2.1 to 11.9±2.1 g/dL (p<0.001), mean corpuscular hemoglobin increased from 25.1 ± 4.1 to 28.0 ± 3.3 pg (P=0.003), and ferritin (IQR) increased from 16.7 (9.5-45.2) to 27.0 (15.1-47.0) µg/L (p<0.001). Conclusion Anemia in Vietnamese school-age children infected with H. pylori is prevalent. Taking iron supplements and periodic deworming reduces the risk of anemia. H. pylori eradication therapy plus oral iron supplementation will improve iron status in H. pylori-infected children.

A young child formula supplemented with a synbiotic mixture of scGOS/lcFOS and Bifidobacterium breve M-16V improves the gut microbiota and iron status in healthy toddlers.

Early-life gut microbiota development depends on a highly synchronized microbial colonization process in which diet is a key regulator. Microbiota transition toward a more adult-like state in toddlerhood goes hand in hand with the transition from a milk-based diet to a family diet. Microbiota development during the first year of life has been extensively researched; however, studies during toddlerhood remain sparse. Young children's requirement for micronutrients, such as dietary iron, is higher than adults. However, their intake is usually sub-optimal based on regular dietary consumption. The Child Health and Residence Microbes (CHaRM) study, conducted as an adjunct to the GUMLi (Growing Up Milk "Lite") trial, was a double-blind randomized controlled trial to investigate the effects on body composition of toddler milk compared to unfortified standard cow's milk in healthy children between 1 and 2 years of age in Brisbane (Australia). In this trial, fortified milk with reduced protein content and added synbiotics [Bifidobacterium breve M-16V, short-chain galactooligosaccharides, and long-chain fructooligosaccharides (ratio 9:1)] and micronutrients were compared to standard unfortified cow's milk. In the present study, the effects of the intervention on the gut microbiota and its relationship with iron status in toddlers were investigated in a subset of 29 children (18 in the Active group and 11 in the Control group) who completed the CHaRM study. The toddler microbiota consisted mainly of members of the phyla Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, and Actinobacteriota. The abundance of the B. breve species was quantified and was found to be lower in the Control group than in the Active group. Analysis of blood iron markers showed an improved iron status in the Active group. We observed a positive correlation between Bifidobacterium abundance and blood iron status. PICRUSt, a predictive functionality algorithm based on 16S ribosomal gene sequencing, was used to correlate potential microbial functions with iron status measurements. This analysis showed that the abundance of predicted genes encoding for enterobactin, a class of siderophores specific to Enterobacteriaceae, is inversely correlated with the relative abundance of members of the genus Bifidobacterium. These findings suggest that healthy children who consume a young child formula fortified with synbiotics as part of a healthy diet have improved iron availability and absorption in the gut and an increased abundance of Bifidobacterium in their gut microbiome.

Iron status, anemia, and birth outcomes among pregnant women in urban Bloemfontein, South Africa: the NuEMI study.

BACKGROUND: Despite routine iron supplementation for pregnant women in South Africa, anaemia and iron deficiency (ID) in pregnancy remain a public health concern. OBJECTIVE: To determine the associations between iron status and birth outcomes of pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at a regional hospital in Bloemfontein. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study of 427 pregnant women, blood was taken to analyze biomarkers of anaemia (haemoglobin), iron status (ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor) and inflammation (C-reactive protein and α-1-acid glycoprotein). A questionnaire was used to collect information about birth outcomes (birth weight and gestational age at birth), HIV exposure, sociodemographics, iron supplement intake, and maternal dietary iron intake using a validated quantified food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: The median (Q1, Q3) weeks of gestation of participants was 32 (26, 36) at enrolment. Anaemia, iron deficiency (ID), ID anaemia (IDA) and ID erythropoiesis (IDE) were present in 42%, 31%, 19% and 9.8% of participants, respectively. Median (Q1, Q3) dietary and supplemental iron intake during pregnancy was 16.8 (12.7, 20.5) mg/d and 65 (65, 65) mg/d, respectively. The median (max-min) total iron intake (diet and supplements) was 81 (8.8-101.8) mg/d, with 88% of participants having a daily intake above the tolerable upper intake level of 45 mg/d. No significant associations of anaemia and iron status with low birth weight and prematurity were observed. However, infants born to participants in the third hemoglobin (Hb) quartile (Hb > 11.3-12.2 g/dL) had a shorter gestation by 1 week than those in the fourth Hb quartile (Hb > 12.2 g/dL) (p = 0.009). Compared to pregnant women without HIV, women with HIV had increased odds of being anaemic (OR:2.14, 95%CI: 1.41, 3.247), having ID (OR:2.19, 95%CI: 1.42, 3.37), IDA (OR:2.23, 95%CI: 1.36, 3.67), IDE (OR:2.22, 95%CI: 1.16, 4.22) and delivering prematurely (OR:2.39, 95%CI: 1.01, 5.64). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, anaemia, ID, and IDA were prevalent in this sample of pregnant women, despite the reported intake of prescribed iron supplements, with HIV-infected participants more likely to be iron deficient and anaemic. Research focusing on the best formulation and dosage of iron supplementation to enhance iron absorption and status, and compliance to supplementation is recommended, especially for those living with HIV infection.

Effect of cooking conditions on iron release from pots and development of kinetic models for iron supplementation in NIPs.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified the use of iron cookware as a potential strategy for alleviating iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) and emphasises the need for action-oriented research in this area. In response to this need, our study systematically investigated the patterns of iron release from various types of cookware under different cooking conditions. Among these, nitrided iron pots (NIPs), the most widely used cookware, were selected for the development of kinetic models to predict iron release efficiently across a range of cooking temperatures and pH levels in food materials. Our results demonstrated that iron release from the pots was significantly influenced by cooking conditions such as the type of cookware, cooking temperatures, cooking times, types of acidic substances, and the pH of the cooking environment. Specifically, higher temperatures, longer cooking times, lower pH levels, and the presence of acetic acid were found to maximise iron release into food. We developed a series of kinetic models-Iron Release-Temperature Models (I, II, and III) and Iron Release-pH Models (IV, V, and VI)-to predict iron release from NIPs. The temperature models are applicable for cooking food with a pH of 5.00-6.00 within a temperature range of 50-100 °C, while the pH models are designed for food with a pH of 3.00-6.00 at boiling temperatures. Validation experiments confirmed the relative accuracy of these models. Additionally, when comparing the predicted iron release with the Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) guidelines, the findings support the efficacy of iron pots as a viable method for iron supplementation.

Intravenous iron supplementation in pulmonary hypertension groups 1 to 4.

Background: Iron deficiency (ID) is common in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of iron supplementation in iron deficient patients with group 1 to 4 pulmonary hypertension (PH). Methods: A total of 85 PH patients (mean age 69.8 ± 12.0 years, 56.5% female) were included in this prospective trial. Patients were screened for ID at baseline. PH patients with ID received intravenous iron supplementation (500-1000 mg ferric carboxymaltose). PH patients without ID served as control group. At baseline and 16-week follow up, six-minute walk test (6MWT), laboratory testing and echocardiography were performed. Additionally, World Health Organization (WHO) functional class, fatigue score and quality of life (QoL) by the SF-36 questionnaire were assessed. Results: Overall, ID was present in 26.7% (n=8/30), 37.5% (n=9/24), 45.5% (n=10/22) and 44.4% (n=4/9) of patients in PH groups 1-4, respectively. In the total study population, iron restoration led to a significant mitigation of fatigue (p=0.01). However, 6MWT, WHO function class, NT-proBNP levels, QoL and right ventricular function did not change significantly. With regard to the underlying PH group, only PH group 3 patients experienced significant improvements in 6MWT distance (p=0.019), WHO functional class (p=0.017), fatigue (p=0.009) and some QoL domains, as compared to controls. Conclusions: ID was common in PH groups 1 to 4. Though intravenous iron supplementation adequately restored iron status and improved fatigue throughout all patients, in the underlying PH groups treatment was accompanied by improvements in exercise capacity, WHO function class and fatigue only in group 3 PH.

Congenital Erythropoietic Porphyria: A Case of Hepatic Failure and Angioedema Following Ferrous Sulfate Supplementation.

This report describes an unusual case of a young anemic female who experienced acute hepatic insufficiency and angioedema after ferrous sulfate consumption. Her primary diagnosis of congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP) was revealed after a detailed dermatologic examination and laboratory data. The patient was treated with IV methylprednisolone along with red blood cell transfusion, vitamin supplementation, and wound care. Our case report emphasizes the importance of physician awareness of CEP since it is a rare disease that tends to mimic other chronic porphyrias, various drug reactions, and collagenopathies.

Association of Iron Therapy with Mortality in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction and Iron Deficiency.

Iron deficiency (ID) is common in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). It is unknown whether patients with AMI combined with ID will benefit from iron supplementation therapy. This study aimed to assess the relationship between iron therapy and mortality in AMI patients. Retrospective analysis was performed in subjects screened from the Medical Information Mart in Intensive Care-IV database. The data were obtained from ICU patients admitted to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center between 2008 and 2019. The patients were divided into two groups according to iron treatment exposure. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed in the original cohort at a 1:1 ratio. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to adjust for confounding factors. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality. A total of 426 patients were included in this study. After 1:1 PSM, 208 patients were analyzed. Iron treatment was associated with a lower risk of 28-day mortality (9 deaths (8.65%) in the iron treatment group vs. 21 deaths (20.19%) in the non-iron treatment group; HR = 0.39; 95% CI = 0.17-0.89; p = 0.025) and in-hospital mortality (4 deaths (3.85%) in the iron treatment group vs. 12 deaths (11.54%) in the non-iron treatment group; OR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.03-0.74; p = 0.029). Iron treatment was associated with reduced 28-day mortality in patients with AMI combined with ID. Iron treatment had no significant effect on the length of hospitalization or the length of ICU stay. Prospective studies are needed to verify this conclusion.

Response to iron supplementation is similar between boys and girls with pediatric sleep movement disorders.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate sex differences in response to iron supplementation in children and adolescents suffering from sleep-related movement disorders such as Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD), and Restless Sleep Disorder (RSD). METHODS: Data were retrieved and reanalyzed from previous studies involving children with RLS, PLMD, or RSD. The analysis included 54 patients treated with intravenous (IV) ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) and 31 patients treated with oral ferrous sulfate (FS). Demographic, biological, and clinical parameters were compared between sexes. Clinical outcomes were measured using the Clinical Global Impression rating scales for severity (CGI-S) and improvement (CGI-I). RESULTS: In the group treated with IV FCM, no significant differences were found between males and females in demographic (age), biological (ferritin, iron, total iron-binding capacity, transferrin), or clinical parameters (CGI-S and CGI-I). However, among adolescents, females showed significantly better clinical improvement (CGI-I) compared to males (t-value 2.428, p < 0.024). In the group treated with oral FS, no significant sex differences were observed in any parameters. Side effects were reported by a small number of patients, with no significant difference between sexes. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate no major significant sex-based differences in response to iron supplementation for treating sleep-related movement disorders in children and adolescents, despite distinct hormonal and physiological differences in iron metabolism. Both boys and girls benefit similarly from iron treatment during this developmental stage, suggesting that a standardized approach to iron supplementation may be effective. However, individual assessment and monitoring remain crucial to ensure optimal outcomes.

Is Oral Iron and Folate Supplementation during Pregnancy Protective against Low Birth Weight and Preterm Birth in Africa? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Despite recent evidence demonstrating iron and folate supplementation reduces the risk of low birth weight and preterm births, synthesis of the evidence is not sufficient to understand their impacts in Africa. METHOD: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, Scopus, CHINAL, Web of Science, Cochrane databases, and Google Scholar were searched for the published and grey literature. Either iron-only, folate-only, or iron-folic acid (IFA) oral supplementation during pregnancy was the primary exposure/intervention. The focus of this review was low birth weight and preterm births in the African region. Qualitative synthesis, meta-analysis, and subgroup analysis were employed. RESULTS: In the qualitative synthesis (n = 4), IFA supplementation showed a positive impact on reducing preterm birth. Additionally, the meta-analysis showed that IFA and iron-only supplementation reduced the odds of low birth weight by 63% (OR 0.37; 95% CI: 0.29, 0.48) and 68% (OR 0.32; 95% CI: 0.21 to 0.50), respectively. CONCLUSION: Both iron-only and IFA supplementation are effective in reducing the risk of low birth weight in Africa. There is also promising evidence suggesting a potential reduction in preterm births. Consequently, further research is needed, particularly targeting high-risk groups such as women residing in rural areas with limited support and low levels of literacy.

The effect of iron supplementation in preterm infants at different gestational ages.

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency (ID) is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency disease in preterm infants, significantly affecting their growth and development. For preterm infants to flourish physically and neurologically, timely iron supplementation is essential. The main goals of this study were to determine whether the present iron supplementation regimen results in iron overload in late preterm infants and whether it can meet the growth requirements of early preterm infants for catch-up. METHODS: We conducted a prospective follow-up study on preterm infants at the Department of Child Health, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, from January 1, 2020, to August 31, 2020. In this study, 177 preterm infants were divided into two groups based on gestational age-early preterm infants (gestational age < 34 weeks) and late preterm infants (gestational age ≥ 34 weeks and < 37 weeks)-to compare the incidence of iron deficiency, iron status, and physical growth of preterm infants receiving iron supplements (2-4 mg/kg/d). RESULTS: Iron supplementation considerably reduced the incidence of iron deficiency in preterm infants. The prevalence of iron deficiency in early preterm infants and late preterm infants was 11.3% and 5.1%, respectively, at the corrected gestational age of 3 months; at the corrected gestational age of 6 months, the prevalence was 5.3% and 6.3%, respectively. No preterm infants with iron deficiency were detected in either group at the corrected gestational age of 12 months. Ferritin was substantially lower in early preterm infants (36.87 ± 31.57 ng/ml) than in late preterm infants (65.78 ± 75.76 ng/ml) at the corrected gestational age of 3 months (p < 0.05). A multifactorial regression analysis of factors influencing iron metabolism levels in preterm infants revealed a positive relationship between log10hepcidin, birth weight, and ferritin, with higher birth weights resulting in higher ferritin levels. CONCLUSIONS: Postnatal iron supplementation at 2-4 mg/kg/d in preterm infants significantly decreases the incidence of ID. There were substantial differences in iron levels across preterm infants of varying gestational ages. A tailored iron supplementation plan based on growth, birth weight, and gestational age may be a more suitable route for iron supplementation. Although the current study found that the postnatal iron status of early preterm infants differed from that of late preterm infants, the actual mechanism of action remains unknown, and large-sample, multicenter clinical studies are required to investigate this further.

Iron Deficiency in Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices.

Iron deficiency is a common and independent predictor of adverse outcomes in patients with heart failure. The implications of iron deficiency in patients implanted with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) are less established. This review recaps data on the prevalence, characteristics and impact of Iron deficiency in the LVAD population. A systematic search yielded eight studies involving 517 LVAD patients, with iron deficiency prevalence ranging from 40% to 82%. IV iron repletion was not associated with adverse events and effectively resolved iron deficiency in most patients. However, the effects of iron deficiency and iron repletion on post-implant survival and exercise capacity remain unknown. Although iron deficiency is highly prevalent in LVAD patients, its true prevalence and adverse effects may be misestimated due to inexact diagnostic criteria. Future randomised controlled trials on IV iron treatment in LVAD patients are warranted to clarify the significance of this common comorbidity.

Efficacy of daily versus intermittent oral iron supplementation for prevention of anaemia among pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The World Health Organization recommends daily oral supplementation of iron for prevention of maternal anaemia. However, the adverse effects due to daily supplementation leads to poor compliance among pregnant women. Also, the mucosal block theory suggests that intermittent oral iron may be more efficient than daily iron with respect to optimum absorption. Our meta-analysis reviewed the existing clinical studies for the efficacy of daily versus intermittent oral iron supplementation. Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis [PROSPERO ID:CRD42024498180], we searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Science Direct and Cochrane database for studies published from 1st January 1970 to 31st December, 2023. Studies comparing daily and intermittent iron supplementation in pregnant women were included. The median intermittent iron dose was 120 mg/day and daily iron dose was 60 mg/day. The primary outcome was endpoint haemoglobin levels after iron supplementation. The data was analysed using the 'meta' and 'metafor' packages in RStudio using random effects model. The heterogeneity, publication bias, risk of bias and certainty of evidence were assessed using I2 statistics, funnel plots, Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (ROB2) tool, and the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach respectively. Findings: Of 4615 search results, 26 studies (n = 4365 participants) were included in this meta-analysis. There was no significant difference (p = 0.18) between the endpoint mean haemoglobin levels of the daily versus intermittent oral iron groups (standardized mean difference (SMD): 0.51, 95% CI: -0.23 to 1.24, I2 = 97%, low certainty evidence) irrespective of baseline anaemic status. However, the endpoint ferritin levels were significantly higher in the daily supplementation group (SMD: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.15-1.54, p = 0.02, I2 = 97%, low certainty evidence). The adjusted odds ratio for nausea, (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 3.56, 95% CI: 2.23-5.69, p < 0.001, I2 = 9%, moderate certainty evidence), diarrhoea (adjusted OR 5.40, 95% CI: 1.90-15.33, p = 0.002, I2 = 0%, low certainty evidence) and constipation (adjusted OR 1.95, 95% CI: 1.21-3.14, p = 0.006, I2 = 0%, moderate certainty evidence) was significantly higher in daily oral iron supplementation group. Interpretation: Intermittent oral iron supplementation with a median dose of 120 mg/day demonstrates comparable efficacy to daily oral iron supplementation median dose of 60 mg/day in increasing haemoglobin levels among pregnant women with a significant reduction in adverse events. Funding: There was no funding for this study.

The Effects of Prenatal Iron Supplementation on Offspring Neurodevelopment in Upper Middle- or High-Income Countries: A Systematic Review.

Iron supplementation is commonly recommended for the prevention and treatment of maternal iron deficiency (ID) or iron deficiency anemia (IDA). However, the impacts of prophylactic of therapeutic prenatal iron supplementation on child neurodevelopment in upper middle-income (UMI) and high-income countries (HICs), where broad nutritional deficiencies are less common, are unclear. To investigate this, we conducted a systematic review, searching four databases (Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Library) through 1 May 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing oral or intravenous iron supplementation in pregnant women reporting on child neurodevelopment (primary outcome: age-standardized cognitive scores) were eligible. We included three RCTs (five publications) from two HICs (Spain and Australia) (N = 935 children; N = 1397 mothers). Due to clinical heterogeneity of the RCTs, meta-analyses were not appropriate; findings were narratively synthesized. In non-anemic pregnant women, prenatal iron for prevention of IDA resulted in little to no difference in cognition at 40 days post-partum (1 RCT, 503 infants; very low certainty evidence). Similarly, the effect on the intelligence quotient at four years was very uncertain (2 RCTs, 509 children, very low certainty evidence). No RCTs for treatment of ID assessed offspring cognition. The effects on secondary outcomes related to language and motor development, or other measures of cognitive function, were unclear, except for one prevention-focused RCT (302 children), which reported possible harm for children's behavioral and emotional functioning at four years. There is no evidence from UMI countries and insufficient evidence from HICs to support or refute benefits or harms of prophylactic or therapeutic prenatal iron supplementation on child neurodevelopment.

Donor knowledge and perceptions regarding donation-induced iron depletion and iron supplementation as a blood service policy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Regular whole blood donations are associated with an increased risk of iron deficiency. Iron supplementation is an effective strategy to prevent donation-induced iron deficiency. However, research on donor perceptions towards such a policy is limited. Therefore, we aim to evaluate donors' knowledge on donation-induced iron depletion and their perceptions regarding iron supplementation as a blood service policy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three thousand Dutch whole blood donors were invited to complete a survey assessing their knowledge of donation-induced iron depletion and attitudes and perceptions towards iron supplementation as a policy. Linear regression modelling was used to evaluate associations between explanatory variables and perceptions. RESULTS: In total, 1093 (77.1%) donors were included in the analysis. Donors had poor knowledge of current iron management policies, but a better understanding of iron metabolism and supplementation. Iron supplementation as a policy was perceived mainly positive by donors, and the majority were willing to use iron supplements if provided. Iron supplementation was not perceived as invasive or negatively affecting donors' motivation to continue donating. Additional iron monitoring, information and donor physician involvement were regarded as important conditions for implementation. Male sex, trust in the blood service, prior experience with iron supplements and openness towards dietary supplements were strongly positively associated with willingness to use iron supplementation. CONCLUSION: Donors' knowledge regarding donation-induced iron depletion is limited, but not associated with their perceptions regarding iron supplementation. Donors do not consider iron supplementation as invasive, deterring or demotivating, and a majority are willing to take supplements if offered.

Anaemia at mid-pregnancy is associated with prehypertension in late pregnancy among urban women.

Background: Antenatal iron deficiency and anaemia are associated with gestational hypertension and diabetes mellitus, but so are elevated iron stores and haemoglobin. In South Africa, pregnant women receive routine iron supplementation regardless of iron status. Aim: This study aimed to assess associations of antenatal iron status and anaemia with blood pressure in pregnant women in urban South Africa. Secondary to this, associations with heart rate, fasting glucose and glucose tolerance were also investigated. Setting: Johannesburg, South Africa. Methods: A total of 250 pregnant women, aged 27 (24-32) years, were recruited using consecutive sampling. The authors measured biomarkers of iron status and anaemia at < 18 and ± 22 weeks', blood pressure and heart rate at ± 36 weeks', and fasting glucose and glucose tolerance between 24 and 28 weeks' gestation. Associations were determined using multivariable regression models adjusted for confounders. Results: The odds of prehypertension in late pregnancy among women with anaemia at ± 22 weeks' gestation were three times higher than among women without anaemia (odds ratio [OR]: 3.01, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22, 7.42). Participants with anaemia at ± 22 weeks' gestation had 2.15 times higher odds of having elevated mean arterial pressure than women without anaemia (OR: 2.15, 95% CI: 1.01, 4.60). Conclusion: Anaemia at mid-pregnancy could be a predictor of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. The cause of antenatal anaemia may need further investigation apart from iron deficiency. The effective management of anaemia in pregnant women living in urban South Africa remains a challenge. Contribution: This study provides evidence about the health impact of pregnant women regarding antenatal supplementation practices in South Africa.

Impact of a bundle of care (intravenous iron, erythropoietin and transfusion metabolic adjustment) on post-operative transfusion incidence in cardiac surgery: a single-centre, randomised, open-label, parallel-group controlled pilot trial.

Background: Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions are frequent in patients after cardiac surgery. This study assessed whether a bundle of care including pre-operative and post-operative administration of erythropoietin (EPO) with intravenous iron supplementation, and restrictive transfusion adjusted for ScvO2 could result in reduced postoperative transfusions. Methods: In this single-centre, randomised, open-label, parallel-group controlled pilot study, patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with high risk of transfusion in a University Hospital were enrolled by the investigator and the randomisation procedure using a central internet-based system was made by the clinical research assistant. Since the trial was open-label, no masking was used. Patients were assigned (1:1) to either the STOP group (40,000 IU subcutaneous EPO combined with 20 mg/kg intravenous ferric carboxymaltose if Hb < 13 g/dL the day before surgery or at ICU admission, and RBC transfusion if Hb ≤ 8 g/dL and ScvO2 ≤ 65%, or additional EPO dose if 8 < Hb < 13 g/dL) or to the control group (RBC transfusion if Hb ≤ 8 g/dL, or, if 8 < Hb < 13 g/dL, intravenous iron sucrose 200 mg or 300 mg according to weight). Primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative RBC transfusion up to hospital discharge or postoperative day 28. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04141631. Findings: Between Jan 20, 2020, and Sept 6, 2022, among 128 patients enrolled, 123 (male, 54.4%, 67/123) were included in the full analysis set: 62 in the STOP group and 61 in the control group. Nine patients (14.5%, 9/62) in the STOP group required RBC transfusion vs 19 (31.2%, 19/61) in the control group (odds ratio 0.37 [95% CI: 0.15-0.91], p = 0.03). The median length of follow up to transfusion was 2.6 days (1.5; 4.6) and 3.3 (1.6; 4.2) in control and STOP groups respectively (p = 0.61). Interpretation: The bundle of care may reduce postoperative RBC transfusion. The findings should be taken with caution due to the unblinded and exploratory nature of the study. Funding: University of Montpellier Hospital and Vifor Pharma.

Efficacy of iron supplementation on physical capacity in non-anaemic iron-deficient individuals: protocol for an individual patient data meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: A deficiency in iron stores is associated with various adverse health complications, which, if left untreated, can progress to states of anaemia, whereby there is significant detriment to an individual's work capacity and quality of life due to compromised erythropoiesis. The most common methods employed to treat an iron deficiency include oral iron supplementation and, in persistent and/or unresponsive cases, intravenous iron therapy. The efficacy of these treatments, particularly in states of iron deficiency without anaemia, is equivocal. Indeed, both randomised control trials and aggregate data meta-analyses have produced conflicting evidence. Therefore, this study aims to assess the efficacy of both oral and intravenous iron supplementation on physical capacity, quality of life, and fatigue scores in iron-deficient non-anaemic individuals using individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis techniques. METHODS: All potential studies, irrespective of design, will be sourced through systematic searches on the following databases: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE Ovid, Embase Ovid, Web of Science: Science Citation Index Expanded, Web of Science: Conference Proceedings Citation Index-Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, and World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Individual patient data from all available trials will be included and subsequently analysed in a two-stage approach. Predetermined subgroup and sensitivity analyses will be employed to further explain results. DISCUSSION: The significance of this IPD meta-analysis is one of consolidating a clear consensus to better inform iron-deficient individuals of the physiological response associated with iron supplementation. The IPD approach, to the best of our knowledge, is novel for this research topic. As such, the findings will significantly contribute to the current body of evidence. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42020191739.

Iron deficiency and supplementation in patients with heart failure: Results from the IRON-HF international survey.

AIMS: Iron deficiency (ID) is common in patients with heart failure (HF) and is associated with poor outcomes, regardless of anaemia status. Iron supplementation has been demonstrated to improve exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with HF with an ejection fraction <50% and ID. This survey aimed to provide data on real-world practices related to ID screening and management. METHODS AND RESULTS: We designed and distributed an online survey (23 questions) regarding ID screening and management in the HF setting. Overall, 256 cardiologists completed the survey (59.8% male, mostly between 30 and 50 years). The majority of physicians defined ID according to the most recent HF recommendations (98.4%) and reported screening for ID in more than half of their patients (68.4%). However, only 54.3% of the respondents performed periodic screening (every 6 months to 1 year). A total of 93.0% of participants prescribed and/or administered iron supplementation, using intravenous iron as the preferred method of administration (86.3%). After iron supplementation, 96.1% of the respondents reassessed ID, most frequently at 3-6 months (67.6%). Most physicians (93.8%) perceived ID as an underestimated comorbidity in HF. Cardiologists' age, training status, subspecialty and work setting (academic vs. non-academic hospitals) were associated with heterogeneity in the answers. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this survey highlight the need for more consistent strategies of ID screening and treatment for patients with HF.