Iron Metabolism and Brain Development in Premature Infants
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Updated: Jan 24, 2026
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Published on: March 14, 2013
Yafeng Wang1,2,3, Yanan Wu2, Tao Li1,2,3
1Department of Neonatology (NICU), Children's Hospital Affiliated Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
Insights
Adequate iron is crucial for preterm infant brain development. Maintaining iron balance, avoiding deficiency or overload, is vital for neurodevelopment and requires individualized monitoring and supplementation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Iron is essential for brain development, particularly in preterm infants.
- Iron metabolism and homeostasis are complex processes regulated at the cellular and mRNA translation levels.
- Preterm infants are at high risk for iron deficiency due to inadequate intake and increased needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review iron metabolism and its importance for brain development in preterm infants.
- To discuss risk factors for iron deficiency and overload in this population.
- To emphasize the need for individualized iron supplementation strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of iron metabolism, homeostasis, and neurodevelopmental impact.
- Analysis of cellular and mRNA translational regulation of iron.
- Examination of risk factors for iron dysregulation in preterm infants.
Main Results:
- Iron deficiency can lead to adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants.
- Iron overload, often from excessive supplementation, can cause brain injury.
- Maintaining iron homeostasis is critical during fetal and neonatal periods.
Conclusions:
- Routine monitoring and thorough evaluation of iron status in preterm infants are essential.
- Individualized iron supplementation is necessary to prevent deficiency and overload.
- Optimizing iron levels supports healthy brain development in preterm infants.
Abstract:
Iron is important for a remarkable array of essential functions during brain development, and it needs to be provided in adequate amounts, especially to preterm infants. In this review article, we provide an overview of iron metabolism and homeostasis at the cellular level, as well as its regulation at the mRNA translation level, and we emphasize the importance of iron for brain development in fetal and early life in preterm infants. We also review the risk factors for disrupted iron metabolism that lead to high risk of developing iron deficiency and subsequent adverse effects on neurodevelopment in preterm infants. At the other extreme, iron overload, which is usually caused by excess iron supplementation in iron-replete preterm infants, might negatively impact brain development or even induce brain injury. Maintaining the balance of iron during the fetal and neonatal periods is important, and thus iron status should be monitored routinely and evaluated thoroughly during the neonatal period or before discharge of preterm infants so that iron supplementation can be individualized.
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