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Iron nutritional status in preterm infants fed formulas fortified with iron
I J Griffin1, R J Cooke, M M Reid
1Neonatal Nutrition Research Group Royal Victoria Infirmary University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK. igriffin@neo.bcm.tmc.edu
Insights
Iron-fortified formulas with 0.5-0.9 mg/dl iron support iron nutritional status in preterm infants post-discharge. Both term and preterm formulas adequately meet infant needs up to six months corrected age.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Preterm infants are at increased risk for iron deficiency due to limited iron stores and rapid growth.
- Nutritional management after hospital discharge is crucial for optimizing iron status in this vulnerable population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively evaluate and compare the iron nutritional status of preterm infants fed different iron-fortified formulas after hospital discharge.
- To determine the adequacy of term and preterm infant formulas in meeting the iron requirements of preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- Healthy low birthweight preterm infants were randomized into three feeding groups post-discharge.
- Groups received either preterm (0.9 mg/dl iron) or term (0.5 mg/dl iron) formulas until 6 months corrected age, with one group switching formulas.
- Iron intake, hemoglobin, plasma ferritin, and incidence of iron deficiency were assessed.
Main Results:
- Iron intake varied significantly between groups, with the preterm formula group consuming the most.
- No significant differences were observed in hemoglobin concentrations, plasma ferritin levels, or the incidence of iron deficiency between infants fed term or preterm formulas.
- Hemoglobin levels were comparable to iron-sufficient preterm and term infants after three months of age.
Conclusions:
- Iron-fortified formulas containing 0.5 to 0.9 mg/dl iron appear sufficient for meeting the iron nutritional needs of preterm infants post-discharge.
- Both term and preterm iron-fortified formulas can adequately support iron status in preterm infants up to six months corrected age.
Aims:
To prospectively evaluate the iron nutritional status of preterm infants fed either a term (0.5 mg/dl iron) or preterm (0.9 mg/dl) formulas fortified with iron after hospital discharge.
Methods:
Healthy low birthweight preterm infants were randomly assigned into three groups at the time of hospital discharge. Group A were fed an iron fortified preterm formula (0.9 mg/dl iron) until 6 months corrected age; group B, a fortified term formula (0.5 mg/l iron) until 6 months corrected age group C, the preterm formula between hospital discharge and term, then the term formula until 6 months corrected age.
Results:
Seventy eight infants were followed up to 6 months corrected age. Iron intake from formula differed significantly between the groups (A, 1.17 mg/kg/day (SD 0.32) > C, 0. 86 mg/kg/day (SD 0.40) = B, 0.81 mg/kg/day (SD 0.23); p < 0.0001). Haemoglobin concentrations were similar to those of iron sufficient preterm infants of the same postnatal age, and term infants of the same postmenstrual age (after 3 months of age). There were no significant differences in haemoglobin concentration (p = 0.391), plasma ferritin (A vs B, p = 0.322), or in the incidence of iron deficiency (A vs B, p = 0.534).
Conclusions:
Iron fortified formulas containing between 0.5 and 0.9 mg/dl iron seem to meet the iron nutritional needs of preterm infants after hospital discharge.