ASH

ASH 2025: IV iron during acute infections linked to better survival, hemoglobin gains

December 18, 2025

IV iron significantly improved survival in adults with iron deficiency anemia and acute infections, according to study results presented at the American Society of Hematology annual meeting. Among 15,022 patients with MRSA bacteremia, mortality risk was lower in those who received IV iron at 14 days (hazard ratio [HR], 0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.41-0.51) and 90 days (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.64-0.73). Similar benefits at 14 and 90 days were seen in the following:

• Pneumonia: HR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.43-0.5 and HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.65-0.7
• UTIs: HR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.43-0.52 and HR, 0.70; 95 CI, 0.66-0.73
• Colitis: HR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.51-0.71, and HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.71-0.84
• Cellulitis: HR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.46-0.65 and HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.65-0.77

No difference was observed in meningitis, possibly due to small sample size. Hemoglobin gains at 60 to 90 days were greater with IV iron across all groups except meningitis.

Source:

Sohail, H, et al. “Deciphering the dilemma: Intravenous (IV) iron use in iron deficiency anemia during acute infections.” Presented: 67^th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition; December 6-9, 2025; Orlando, FL. Accessed December 17, 2025. https://meetings-api.hematology.org/api/abstract/vmpreview/299960