As per the findings of a single-center retrospective data analysis, a single dose of intravenous iron supplementation with ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) was well tolerated and led to improvements in both clinical severity and lab parameters in children suffering from periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) or restless legs syndrome (RLS). Lourdes M.DelRosso et al. determined the clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability of intravenous FCM on symptoms and iron indices for the management of pediatric PLMD or RLS.

The study recruited 39 children diagnosed with RLS (n=29) or PLMD (n=10) and who underwent a single infusion of intravenous FCM. Assessment of serum iron profile, serum ferritin, and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Scale scores at baseline and after 8 weeks post infusion was done. Side effects were also evaluated. The pre-infusion CGI-Severity indicated moderate illness. The post-infusion CGI-Improvement was noted between "much improved" and "very much improved".

Ferritin level improved substantially after a single dose of FCM. The ferritin level elevated from 14.6 μg/L±7.01 to 112.4 μg/L±65.86, along with improved levels of iron and transferrin, and total iron binding capacity from the baseline to post-therapy. In comparison with children with RLS, children with PLMD exhibited a comparable improvement in clinical symptoms and lab parameters. One or two noxious events were reported by seven participants (14.3%), all were mild.

Although larger and robust randomized trials are required, intravenous FCM seems to be a good alternative to oral iron supplementation to manage RLS or PLMD in children.