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Predicting iron status in low birthweight infants.
R Thom1, W Parnell, R Broadbent
1Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|March 26, 2003
Summary
Low birthweight infants not receiving daily iron supplements are at high risk for iron deficiency. Supplementation history can help identify infants needing iron status investigation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Hematology
Background:
- Low birthweight infants are a high-risk group for developing iron deficiency.
- Assessing iron status is crucial for the healthy development of these infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the iron status of low birthweight infants at approximately 9 months of age.
- To evaluate the feasibility of predicting iron status based on supplementary iron intake history.
Main Methods:
- Eighty-one low birthweight infants were categorized into 'high' or 'low' iron intake groups based on consumption of infant formula or medicinal iron.
- Iron status was compared between the two groups.
Main Results:
- 33% of infants were iron deficient, with 15% having iron deficiency anemia.
- Infants with low iron intake were 13 times more likely to be iron deficient.
- Screening based on iron intake had a positive predictive value of 66% and a negative predictive value of 88%.
Conclusions:
- Daily supplementary iron intake is critical for preventing iron deficiency in low birthweight infants.
- Current preventative methods may not be fully effective.
- Screening iron intake is a useful method for identifying infants requiring iron status investigation.