A 12-month-old child is brought to the clinic for routine anemia screening. The hemoglobin level is 9.5 g/dL, and iron sulfate is prescribed at a dosage of:

A 12-month-old child is brought to the clinic for routine anemia screening. The hemoglobin level is 9.5 g/dL, and iron sulfate is prescribed at a dosage of:

• A. 1 mg/kg/day
• B. 10 mg/kg/day
• C. 6 mg/kg/day
• D. 8 mg/kg/day

Answer: (C)

Dosing elemental iron for iron deficiency anemia in a toddler is typically 3 to 6 mg per kg per day, given in divided doses, for several months to replenish iron stores and restore the hemoglobin. In a 12‑month‑old with a hemoglobin around 9.5 g/dL, clinicians often use the higher end of that range to replenish iron quickly, so 6 mg/kg per day is the appropriate choice. This amount stays within the safe daily limit for most toddlers (roughly up to 60 mg of elemental iron per day, depending on the product). For example, a child weighing about 10 kg would receive about 60 mg of elemental iron daily, usually split into 2–3 doses. The goal is to continue treatment for several months and then recheck hemoglobin and iron stores; after the hemoglobin normalizes, therapy is typically continued for a few more months to replenish stores. Lower doses (like 1 mg/kg/day) would be far less effective in correcting the deficiency promptly, while higher doses (such as 8–10 mg/kg/day) exceed common safety guidelines and increase the risk of GI side effects and iron overload. If you’re prescribing, use divided doses and consider pairing with vitamin C to enhance absorption, and avoid taking iron with milk or calcium-rich foods that can interfere with absorption.

Dosing elemental iron for iron deficiency anemia in a toddler is typically 3 to 6 mg per kg per day, given in divided doses, for several months to replenish iron stores and restore the hemoglobin. In a 12‑month‑old with a hemoglobin around 9.5 g/dL, clinicians often use the higher end of that range to replenish iron quickly, so 6 mg/kg per day is the appropriate choice. This amount stays within the safe daily limit for most toddlers (roughly up to 60 mg of elemental iron per day, depending on the product).

For example, a child weighing about 10 kg would receive about 60 mg of elemental iron daily, usually split into 2–3 doses. The goal is to continue treatment for several months and then recheck hemoglobin and iron stores; after the hemoglobin normalizes, therapy is typically continued for a few more months to replenish stores.

Lower doses (like 1 mg/kg/day) would be far less effective in correcting the deficiency promptly, while higher doses (such as 8–10 mg/kg/day) exceed common safety guidelines and increase the risk of GI side effects and iron overload. If you’re prescribing, use divided doses and consider pairing with vitamin C to enhance absorption, and avoid taking iron with milk or calcium-rich foods that can interfere with absorption.