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Things We Do for No Reason™: Routinely withholding IV iron in hospitalized patients with infection

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Withholding intravenous (IV) iron to treat iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common practice in patients hospitalized with acute bacterial infection, driven by the theoretical risk from in vitro studies that iron may support bacterial growth. However, IV iron administration is beneficial for multiple patient populations with IDA, such as heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, chronic kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and malignancy. Additionally, recent data suggest that administering IV iron in patients with infections does not worsen clinical outcomes. Routine withholding of IV iron in patients with adequately controlled infections should be avoided.

Source: Journal of Hospital Medicine

DOI: 10.1002/jhm.70530

Authors: Joséphine A. Cool, Lucy Z. Shi, Jason A. Freed, Moises Auron, Ryan E. Nelson

Institutions: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard University, University of California Davis Medical Center, University of California, Davis, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University

Language: English

Topic: Iron Metabolism and Disorders

Subfield: Hematology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

OpenAlex ID: W7225081380

FWCI:

Cites: 17

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Related to: 10