Iron-deficiency anemia treatment plan for adults undergoing surgery

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

Many adults preparing for surgery have iron deficiency anemia that can worsen fatigue, exercise ability, and recovery after surgery. This grant focuses on creating and testing an intervention that fits into the perioperative workflow to screen for iron deficiency and provide iron therapy when needed. The approach combines measurement of iron status with an evidence-based treatment pathway and looks at how easily these steps can be adopted in real hospital settings. The goal is to close the gap between what we know about IDA and what actually happens in the operating room and postoperative care.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• University of Chicago
  Chicago, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Merkow, Ryan Patrick — University of Chicago
• Study coordinator: Merkow, Ryan Patrick

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

• Iron‑deficiency anemia and its impact on brain function in late childhood

  This study looks at how iron-deficiency anemia in late childhood and adolescence may affect thinking skills and brain development in young females.

  NIH research Washington University · Saint Louis, United States · NIH-11394540

• Brain blood flow and oxygen use in adult iron deficiency anemia

  This study looks at how moderate iron deficiency anemia in adults affects brain blood flow, oxygen use, and thinking abilities, and whether iron treatment can reverse any problems.

  NIH research Children's Hospital of Los Angeles · Los Angeles, United States · NIH-11393318

• Machine learning to predict iron deficiency risk in babies based on mom’s stress during pregnancy

  A fast, data-driven approach uses a mother’s stress during pregnancy to help predict which babies might be at risk for iron deficiency anemia.

  NIH research Northeastern University · Boston, United States · NIH-11384738

• How iron-deficiency anemia in later childhood affects the brain and thinking

  This project looks at girls and young women aged 12–21 with iron-deficiency anemia to see how it changes brain metabolism, blood flow, and thinking using cognitive tests and MRI scans.

  NIH research Washington University · Saint Louis, United States · NIH-11169048

• Predicting pregnancy and newborn iron-deficiency risk linked to stress during pregnancy

  This project uses computer models to predict which pregnant people and their newborns might develop iron-deficiency anemia after stress during pregnancy.

  NIH research Northeastern University · Boston, United States · NIH-11163567

• How iron-deficiency anemia affects adult brain blood flow, oxygen, and memory

  This project tests whether treating moderate iron-deficiency anemia can improve brain blood flow, oxygen use, and thinking in adult women.

  NIH research Children's Hospital of Los Angeles · Los Angeles, United States · NIH-11159407

About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.