• Reference Number: HEY1571/2025
• Departments: Paediatric Medicine, Paediatrics
• Last Updated: 31 August 2025

Introduction

Your child has iron-deficiency anaemia and has been recommended to have an iron infusion. This leaflet has been written to help you understand more about the iron infusion.

You may wish to share the information in this leaflet with your partner and family so that they can be of help and support. There may be information they need to know, especially if they are helping to look after your child after the infusion.

What is “iron-deficiency anaemia”?

Anaemia is a condition caused by the lack of red blood cells, also known as haemoglobin. In the UK, not having enough iron is the commonest reason for developing anaemia. It can also occur in those with chronic conditions.

Haemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells. It carries oxygen from the lungs and around the body. A key component of haemoglobin is iron. If there is not enough iron in the body, the amount of haemoglobin will fall, causing anaemia. When the haemoglobin is low level, less oxygen can be carried in the blood, and this can result in various symptoms such as feeling tired.

What causes “iron-deficiency anaemia”?

In a well person, a normal balanced diet will usually contain enough iron for the body to make haemoglobin. The body’s iron stores can be low if there is

• Blood loss from conditions such as stomach ulcers, passing significant amounts of blood in stools and heavy periods in girls and women
• A diet that is low in iron content
• An increase in the body’s need for iron
• Poor absorption of iron, when the body is unable to absorb iron, in conditions such as Crohn’s disease and Coeliac disease

What is an iron infusion?

Iron is a mineral that the body uses to make haemoglobin, which is the protein in the red blood cells. It can be given intravenously into the vein. The infusion will run into the vein from a drip.

The infusion usually takes 30 minutes, but the infusion time can vary depending on the amount of iron dose needed. There will be observations and monitoring done before and during the infusion. These will continue for at least 30 minutes after the infusion has finished to observe for any immediate side effects.

Why does my child need an iron infusion?

Your child has been found to have iron-deficiency anaemia and would benefit from an iron infusion. Intravenous iron is used to treat low iron in the body. This may have occurred due to low amounts of iron in your diet, a problem with your body’s ability to absorb and use iron or it may be because of blood loss.

Intravenous iron is a very effective way to increase the amount of iron in the body to help it make more red blood cells over the following weeks.

What are the likely benefits of iron infusions?

The blood iron level will increase and there will likely be an increase in the haemoglobin level as well. This can lead to less tiredness, more energy, better concentration and less breathlessness with exercise.

What are the alternatives to an iron infusion?

Oral iron is commonly used to treat iron deficiency anaemia, but it can take months for symptoms to improve. Oral iron may not be well absorbed and can cause abdominal symptoms that could worsen an existing condition. For some patients, oral iron may not be suitable, or they have not responded adequately to oral iron supplements.

Are there occasions where an iron infusion should not be given?

You should inform your doctor in the following situations

• If you are allergic to any iron preparations
• If you have an acute or chronic condition unknown to your doctor, please ensure that you have had a discussion with your doctor/ nurse about this
• There is known liver damage
• In the first 12 weeks of pregnancy or could be in early pregnancy.

Can there be any complications or risks?

Iron infusions are considered very safe but like all medicines, can have side effects that include:

• A metallic taste in the mouth, which usually settles within 15 minutes of the infusion
• Feeling sick, light-headed or dizzy
• Very rarely, severe allergic reactions, with symptoms of paleness, swollen lips, weakness, sweating, chest tightness, difficulty breathing and a fast pulse.
• Very rarely, if there is a problem with the cannula, the iron can leak into the skin causing temporary swelling and permanent skin staining or discolouration.

How do I prepare my child for an iron infusion?

Your child should stop any oral tablet or liquid iron supplements the day before the infusion.

Please inform your nurse/ or doctor if

• Your child is unwell with an infection
• Your child has allergies, asthma, eczema, immune or inflammatory conditions that is unknown to your doctor
• Your child is taking any other medications, over the counter remedies or herbal medicines that is unknown to your doctor. This is because the iron infusion can affect the way some medicines work. Similarly, some medicines can affect the way the infusion works.

If you are unsure about any of the above, talk to your doctor or nurse before having intravenous iron.

What will happen on the day of the infusion?

There is no need to fast, so your child should continue to have their usual meals and regular medications except the iron supplements. It is advisable to drink plenty of fluids as this will make it easier to insert the cannula for the infusion.

Your child will be admitted to the Day Care Unit or ward by a nurse. They will ask you and your child questions, and perform checks and observations before, during and after the infusion

If your child has any of these symptoms during the iron infusion or after it is completed, inform your nurse immediately

• Tingling or numbness of the limbs
• Abdominal discomfort
• Muscle aches and pains
• feeling hot or col
• Skin flushing and/ or itching
• Swelling of the hands and feet
• Difficulty in breathing or chest tightness
• Feeling faint and/ or dizzy
• Pain, swelling or redness at the cannula site

What will happen afterwards?

After the iron infusion, when you leave the hospital, continue to monitor your child for the next 24 hours. If there are any significant symptoms such as chest pain or difficulty breathing, please contact NHS 111 as soon as possible or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Tell them you have had an intravenous iron infusion as this may be a delayed reaction, and you will need to be treated for this.

Your child will be reviewed by her/ his usual doctor as planned.

Any questions?

If you would like more information about iron-deficiency anaemia – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/iron-deficiency-anaemia/

For more information

About the admission to Day Care Unit, call tel: 01482 607872

About the admission to Woodland Ward, call tel: 01482 311621

Clinic appointment – your consultant’s secretary, tel: 01482 382745 or Paediatrics Outpatient Department tel: 01482 607872

Any medical problems related to the procedure, discuss with the consultant or specialist nurse

If there is a problem with the cannula, please inform the nurse immediately. A rare complication of an iron infusion is permanent staining or discolouration of the skin from the iron that leaks into the skin. This can occur at the site of the infusion and/ or on other areas of the body such as fingers, face and limbs.