Comments This study is admirable for its design and questioning of a common clinicalscenario. It suggests a practical, clinically available alternative to bloodtransfusion in this 'at risk' population which would avoid the hazards ofblood transfusion. The authors, using the results from the study, were ableto suggest reasons for the anemia seen in ICU patients which need furtherinvestigation to fully elucidate the pathophysiology involved.Note however, that in the method, the authors did vary

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... om routine clinicalpractice within the UK, by giving all enrolled patients oral ironfrom the start of the study, or as soon as bowel sounds were present.