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Effect of Daily Iron Supplementation on Infantile Iron Homeostasis in Preterm Infants

Mingyan Li1, Ying Lv1, Jionghuan Ying2

  • 1Department of Pediatric Health Care, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China.

Frontiers in Pediatrics
|June 14, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Unified iron supplementation effectively maintains iron homeostasis in preterm infants. Key factors influencing iron deficiency anemia include hemoglobin levels at birth and 3 months, blood transfusions, gender, and feeding type.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Preterm infants are at high risk for iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA).
  • Understanding factors affecting iron homeostasis is crucial for optimizing infant health.
  • Unified iron supplementation protocols aim to prevent and treat ID/IDA in this vulnerable population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of a standardized iron supplementation regimen in preterm infants.
  • To identify factors influencing iron status and the prevalence of ID/IDA.
  • To assess the impact on infant growth and potential side effects.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 250 preterm infants was divided into neonatal anemic (NA) and non-neonatal anemic (NNA) groups.
  • Iron supplements (2 mg/kg/day) were administered from 40 weeks' gestational age to 6 months.
  • Iron status, growth, and side effects were monitored at 3 and 6 months; ID/IDA prevalence and correlated factors were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • No significant difference in ID/IDA prevalence between NA and NNA groups.
  • Higher birth hemoglobin and early blood transfusion reduced ID/IDA risk at 3 months.
  • Higher 3-month hemoglobin, formula feeding, and female gender were associated with lower ID/IDA risk at 6 months; males had higher risk.
  • No significant differences in growth or side effects were observed.

Conclusions:

  • Daily iron supplementation (2 mg/kg) supports iron homeostasis in most preterm infants up to 6 months.
  • Hemoglobin levels at birth and 3 months, blood transfusion, gender, and feeding patterns are critical factors affecting ID/IDA.
  • The supplementation regimen is safe and effective, regardless of neonatal anemia history.

Keywords:
correlative factorsgrowthiron deficiencyiron deficiency anemiairon supplementationpreterm infants

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