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Updated: May 3, 2026

Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes
Published on: May 10, 2022
[Impact of the multiple births on the postnatal iron indices in premature infants]
Insights
Multiple births significantly impact iron metabolism in premature infants. Twins exhibit higher risks of iron deficiency and overload compared to singletons, highlighting the need for careful monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Pediatric Hematology
- Biochemistry
Context:
- Premature infants born before 33 weeks gestational age (GW) face unique physiological challenges.
- Iron metabolism is critical for neurodevelopment and overall health in neonates.
- Multiple births (twins) present distinct physiological demands compared to singletons.
Purpose:
- To investigate the impact of multiple births on iron metabolism indices in premature infants.
- To compare iron status markers between singleton and twin premature infants.
- To identify specific alterations in iron homeostasis associated with twin gestation in preterm neonates.
Summary:
- This study analyzed iron metabolism markers (ferritin, transferrin, sTfR, iron, TIBC, transferrin saturation) in 102 premature infants (singletons vs. twins) from birth to term.
- Twins showed elevated transferrin and soluble transferrin receptors, indicating higher iron demands and potential deficiency.
- While singletons experienced more infections and transfusions, twins had a higher prevalence of iron overload at term despite initial iron deprivation.
Impact:
- Multiple births are identified as a significant risk factor for iron homeostasis disturbances in preterm infants.
- Findings suggest tailored monitoring and potential interventions for iron status in twin premature infants.
- This research contributes to understanding the specific hematological needs of multiple premature infants.
Purpose:
To investigate the impact of the multiple births on the iron metabolism indices in premature infants.
Material And Methods:
102 premature infants, born before 33rd gestational week (GW), are investigated, divided in two groups: control group 1 - singletons (n 69), and case group 2 - twins (n 33). The serum levels of ferritin (Ferr), transferrin (Tf), soluble transferrin receptors (sTfR), iron (Fe), total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and transferrin saturation (SatTf) are examined from the birth to the term.
Results:
The singletons are complicated more frequently by nosocomial infections also they require more often early haemotransfusions. Their initial levels of Ferr are higher; but sTfR - lower, especially in 36th week corrected age (WCA). Levels of Tf of the twins are elevated sharply after 33rd WCA, but to term are above upper limit of norm. The sTfR levels are higher and above normal value through whole observational period. Fe-curve is upward, but TIBC is on the lower limit through that period. Calculating SatTf, we established that twins are iron deprived at birth, but 1/3 of singletons are iron overloaded. Despite neonatal complications, 80% from singletons are with normal SatTf at term, but iron overload in twins are twice higher (42 vs. 20%).
Conclusion:
The multiple births are a risk factor concerning iron homeostasis in the infants, born before 33rd GW.
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