What is the main treatment approach for severe anemia associated with iron deficiency?

The primary treatment approach for severe anemia caused by iron deficiency is iron supplementation. Iron deficiency anemia occurs when there is not enough iron in the body to produce sufficient hemoglobin for red blood cells. This results in a decreased oxygen-carrying capacity, leading to symptoms associated with anemia such as fatigue, pallor, and weakness.

Iron supplementation directly addresses the underlying cause of the anemia by replenishing the body's iron stores, allowing for the production of healthy red blood cells. This can be achieved through oral iron supplements or, in cases of severe deficiency or intolerance to oral iron, intravenous iron preparations.

While transfusion of packed red blood cells can be used to quickly improve hemoglobin levels in patients with severe anemia, it does not correct the underlying deficiency and is typically reserved for situations where immediate correction of hemoglobin is critical, such as in acute blood loss or severe symptomatic anemia. Desmopressin therapy is primarily used for conditions such as von Willebrand disease and mild hemophilia A, not for treating anemia. Bone marrow stimulants may help in certain types of anemia (such as aplastic anemia) but are not first-line for iron deficiency anemia.

Thus, iron supplementation is established as the cornerstone treatment for iron deficiency anemia since it treats the root