VERNON HILLS, Ill., Aug. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the Center for Diseases Control (CDC) iron deficiency is a major cause of anemia in the U.S. While many infants meet dietary requirements for iron, evidence suggests that nearly 50 percent of 12 to 24 month-old children do not meet the daily requirements through diet alone(1). Additionally, recent data from the CDC indicate the prevalence of iron deficiency among toddlers aged 1 to 2 years is 7 percent, and this number approaches 20 percent among children aged 1 to 3 years in urban areas (2-5).
NextWave Pharmaceuticals hopes to positively impact these statistics with the launch of MyKidz Iron, a nonprescription liquid iron supplement that uses new suspension technology to offer a great taste without staining clothes or teeth. Stains and a highly bitter metallic taste are characteristics of liquid iron supplements that have traditionally kept compliance rates low.
The first three years of a child's life are crucial as 90 percent of physical brain growth occurs during this time(6). Iron is vital for optimal brain development and for transporting oxygen throughout the body. Infants who experience iron deficiency anemia can suffer long-term effects on mental, motor and behavioral performance throughout life. In a long-term study, children who received iron supplements for anemia as infants, and who were tested years later, were more likely to repeat grades and have reduced arithmetic and written achievement(7).
There is another important reason to prevent iron deficiency. Recent studies suggest that iron deficient toddlers at risk for lead exposure absorb more lead from the environment than children who are not iron deficient (8-9). Lead is a known toxic agent and has been shown to negatively impact children's IQ scores (10-11).
"Parents can help prevent iron deficiency and anemia by integrating an iron supplement into their child's daily diet," says Dr. Alvin Eden, author of Positive Parenting and currently the chairman of the department of pediatrics at Wyckoff Heights Hospital in Brooklyn, NY and clinical professor of pediatrics at Cornell University Medical Center. "NextWave Pharmaceuticals is offering pediatricians and parents this latest advancement in medicine to help support strong, healthy children for the future. New technology allows MyKidz Iron to deliver elemental iron in a suspension formulation that prevents staining and the bitter metallic aftertaste associated with liquid iron vitamin supplements."
A 2ml dose of MyKidz Iron delivers 10mg of elemental iron, which is the recommended daily dose for children under 4. The iron with vitamin supplement also includes 1500 IU of vitamin A, 35mg of vitamin C and 400 IU of vitamin D. MyKidz Iron is available in berry/banana flavor, and it comes in a pleasant smell with no alcohol, dyes or sugar. The prescription form -- MyKidz Iron Fluoride -- contains 0.25 of fluoride per dose for toddlers requiring fluoride supplementation. For more information visit http://www.mykidziron.com/ or call toll free (866)697-WAVE (9283).
About NextWave Pharmaceuticals:
NextWave Pharmaceuticals provides the next generation of children's medications by listening to the needs of parents and children, and working closely with pediatricians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners within the pediatric community. NextWave Pharmaceuticals develops a broad line of products across several therapeutic areas. The company strives to provide unique products that address many of the compliance, convenience, dosing and safety issues children and their parents face today. Products include MyKidz Iron and MyKidz Iron with Fluoride. For more information, please visit http://www.nextwavepharma.com/ or call 1-866-697-WAVE (9283).
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NextWave Pharmaceuticals
