Iron Supplementation Is Associated with Improvement of Motor Development, Hemoglobin Level, and Weight in Preterm Infants during the First Year of Life in China

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Medicine
• Pediatric Nutrition
• Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

• Preterm infants often have impaired iron endowment, necessitating supplementation.
• The long-term health outcomes of iron supplementation in preterm infants are not fully understood.
• Existing recommendations for iron supplementation in preterm infants lack conclusive evidence regarding developmental benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between iron supplementation and neurobehavioral development in preterm infants.
• To evaluate the impact of iron supplementation on hemoglobin levels and anthropometric characteristics.
• To determine the benefits of early iron supplementation on growth and development outcomes in preterm infants.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study involving 1568 preterm infants in South China.
• Infants were divided into an iron supplementation group (n=697) and a control group (n=871).
• Data on neurodevelopment, hemoglobin, and anthropometry were collected up to 12 months corrected age.

Main Results:

• Iron supplementation was positively linked to enhanced gross motor skills at 6 and 12 months corrected age.
• Improved fine motor skills and higher body weight were observed at 12 months corrected age in the supplemented group.
• Elevated hemoglobin levels and increased hemoglobin levels were noted at 3 and 6 months corrected age.

Conclusions:

• Three months of iron supplementation in Chinese preterm infants is associated with improved motor development.
• Iron supplementation positively impacts hemoglobin levels and body weight during the first year of life.
• These findings support the recommendation for iron supplementation in preterm infants for better developmental outcomes.