Does iron deficiency anemia cause recurrent ear infections? - Literature Review & Commentary - Brief Article

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients,  June, 2002  by Alan R. Gaby

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Six hundred-eighty children with frequent episodes of acute otitis media (mean, 8.3 episodes per year) were studied. The mean hemoglobin concentration was significantly lower in these children than in 200 children with no history of infection (11.4 vs. 13.1 g/dl; p < 0.01). One-fifth of the children with recurrent ear infections were anemic, as compared with only 1.5% of control children. The anemic children were supplemented with iron plus 100 mg/day of vitamin C until they reached a hemoglobin level of at least 11 g/dl. This treatment resulted in a significant reduction in the recurrence rate of acute otitis media, even though the children remained in the age group that is highly prone to such infections.

Comment: These results suggest that iron-deficiency anemia plays a role in the pathogenesis of recurrent otitis media, and that correction of the anemia reduces the rate of recurrences. It is conceivable that the vitamin C supplement (which was given to enhance iron absorption) was responsible in part for the benefit. However, iron deficiency is known to have an adverse effect on immune function, so correcting such a deficiency is desirable in patients with recurrent infections. It should be noted that, in children with severe malnutrition, administration of iron before the general malnutrition is corrected can result in a life-threatening infection. In such cases, iron therapy improves the nutrition of the infecting organisms before it improves the immune system of the host.

Golz A, et al. The association between iron-deficiency anemia and recurrent acute otitis media. Am J Otolaryngol 2001;22:391-394.

COPYRIGHT 2002 The Townsend Letter Group
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