Surgical infections
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Surgical infections · Feb 2009
Randomized Controlled TrialRandomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of effects of enteral iron supplementation on anemia and risk of infection during surgical critical illness.
Critical illness is characterized by hypoferremia, iron-deficient erythropoiesis (IDE), and anemia. The relative risks and benefits of iron supplementation in this setting are unknown. ⋯ Enteral iron supplementation of anemic, critically ill surgical patients does not increase the risk of infection and may benefit those with baseline IDE by decreasing the risk of RBC transfusion. A trial comparing enteral and parenteral iron supplementation in this setting is warranted (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00450177).