The effect of iron replacement therapy on appetite in children with iron deficiency anemia

Objective: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common cause of preventable microcytic anemia. Children and pregnant women are the most affected group of these patients. One of the important findings of RIA is low appetite. There is contradictory results in terms of the improvement of appetite in children with iron deficiency anemia whom treated with iron. This study aims to determine how the appetite changes with iron treatment Materials and Methods: Between January 2013 and May 2014, one hundred and six children with a diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia, between the ages of 1-18 were included in the study group from Gaziosmanpa？a University Medical Faculty Pediatric Outpatient Clinic. Eating behaviors before and after treatment were determined in children with iron deficiency anemia using the CEBQ (Childrens Eating Behavior Questionnaire) Results: When the nutrition tendencies of the group before iron treatment were examined, the highest score was found; desire to drink, satiety responsiveness and ejoyment of food sub-dimensions; the lowest score was observed in emotional over-eating behavior. After iron treatment; in all sub-dimensions, except slowness in eating and satiety responsiveness which were attributed negative appetite, increasing scores were found while the highest score were observed in the sub-dimensions of enjoyment of food and desire to drink. After treatment, increasing scores were found in increased appetite attitudes without gender differences Discussion: These findings showed iron replacement therapy in iron deficiency anemia has a positive effect on the appetite of the children