Iron-deficiencyanemia in blood donors

Each blood donation (450 ml) removes between 200 and 250 mg of iron. Therefore, regular donors (particularly females of reproductive age), who donate whole blood at least three times per year, frequently develop iron deficiency. Iron-deficiency anemia is the main cause of the temporary donor deferral (up to 10% of blood donations). Iron supplementation is usuallynecessarytoreplenishironstores, torestorehemoglobin level and to mitigate latent iron deficiency that may be associated with fatigue, restless legs syndrome, pica, etc. Ferric carboxymaltose is a macromolecular complex that consists of a ferric hydroxide core stabilized by a carbohydrate shell. It rapidly improves haemoglobin levels and replenishes depleted iron stores after one infusion and may have advantages over oral iron preparations in donors.

Key words

Regular donors, iron deficiency, anemia, iron preparations, ferric carboxymaltose.