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Lactoferrin as treatment for iron-deficiency anemia in children: a systematic review.

  • 2023-08-25
  • The Turkish journal of pediatrics 65(4)
    • Devina June
    • Alvin Timothy Konstantin
    • Levina Arthauli Lumbanradja
    • Astria Aryani
    • Antoninus Hengky

Study Design

Type
Systematic Review
Population
children with IDA
Methods
PubMed, ProQuest, EBSCO and Ovid databases were searched using a variation of keywords: lactoferrin, anemia, and children. The literature selected must be clinical trial-based in design. The years of the studies published were limited to 2012 and 2022.

Background

Anemia is a common nutritional problem in children, especially those under five. Lactoferrin (Lf) as a supplement in treating iron deficiency anemia (IDA) has been studied, but its results in children have not been reviewed. This review aims to evaluate the effect of lactoferrin on children with IDA.

Methods

PubMed, ProQuest, EBSCO and Ovid databases were searched using a variation of keywords: lactoferrin, anemia, and children. The literature selected must be clinical trial-based in design. The years of the studies published were limited to 2012 and 2022.

Results

Eleven studies were included in the final systematic review, consisting of 10 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 1 non-randomized trial. Serum ferritin (SF) and hemoglobin (Hb) were found to be increased in groups treated with Lf or a combination of Lf and elemental iron compared to iron only or placebo supplementation. Adverse events such as constipation, vomiting, anorexia, and abdominal pain were found; particularly, a significant decrease in constipation is seen in Lf-treated groups.

Conclusions

This study supports Lf as a superior treatment for IDA in children regarding the improvement in hematological and iron indices and fewer adverse effects.

Research Insights

  • Lactoferrin→Increased Hemoglobin Levels

    Serum ferritin (SF) and hemoglobin (Hb) were found to be increased in groups treated with Lf or a combination of Lf and elemental iron compared to iron only or placebo supplementation.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
  • Lactoferrin→Increased Serum Ferritin Level

    Serum ferritin (SF) and hemoglobin (Hb) were found to be increased in groups treated with Lf or a combination of Lf and elemental iron compared to iron only or placebo supplementation.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small

Adverse Events Reported

  • Lactoferrin→abdominal pain

    Adverse events such as constipation, vomiting, anorexia, and abdominal pain were found; particularly, a significant decrease in constipation is seen in Lf-treated groups.

    Finding
    Reported
  • Lactoferrin→anorexia

    Adverse events such as constipation, vomiting, anorexia, and abdominal pain were found; particularly, a significant decrease in constipation is seen in Lf-treated groups.

    Finding
    Reported
  • Lactoferrin→constipation

    Adverse events such as constipation, vomiting, anorexia, and abdominal pain were found; particularly, a significant decrease in constipation is seen in Lf-treated groups.

    Finding
    Reported
  • Lactoferrin→vomiting

    Adverse events such as constipation, vomiting, anorexia, and abdominal pain were found; particularly, a significant decrease in constipation is seen in Lf-treated groups.

    Finding
    Reported
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