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Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes
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Preterm Infants on Early Solid Foods and Iron Status in the First Year of Life-A Secondary Outcome Analysis of a

Margarita Thanhaeuser1, Fabian Eibensteiner1, Margit Kornsteiner-Krenn1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.

Nutrients
|July 9, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Introducing solid foods early to preterm infants did not affect iron levels but increased iron deficiency risk by 12 months. Current feeding guidelines may need reconsideration for very low birth weight infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal nutrition
  • Pediatric hematology
  • Infant feeding practices

Background:

  • Iron status is critical for preterm infant development.
  • Optimal timing for introducing solid foods to preterm infants remains debated.
  • Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants have unique nutritional needs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of early versus late complementary feeding on iron status in VLBW infants.
  • To assess ferritin and hematologic parameters in the first year of life.
  • To determine if feeding timing affects iron deficiency incidence.

Main Methods:

  • Secondary analysis of a prospective, randomized intervention trial.
  • VLBW infants randomized to early (10-12 weeks corrected age) or late (16-18 weeks corrected age) feeding groups.
  • Iron status assessed via blood samples at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months corrected age.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in ferritin or other iron status parameters between groups during the first year.
  • Higher incidence of iron deficiency observed in the early feeding group at 12 months corrected age.
  • Total 177 infants randomized; 89 in early group, 88 in late group.

Conclusions:

  • Early introduction of solid foods in VLBW infants may increase iron deficiency risk.
  • Current recommendations for complementary feeding in preterm infants may require revision.
  • Regular monitoring of iron status and potential adjustments to feeding guidelines are recommended.

Keywords:
iron intakeiron statuspreterm infantsolid foods

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