Anemia, Refractory Iron Deficiency in Childhood: definition

Refractory iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a microcytic type anemia characterized by formation of abnormally small, pale red blood cells and iron depletion, or inadequate iron content in the body, that does not respond to oral iron supplementation. Refractory means resistant to normal treatment, which in this case, means that taking prescribed iron tablets does not boost iron in the body as expected.