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Iron status of the preterm infant during the first year of life
Insights
Preterm infants
Area of Science:
- Neonatal nutrition
- Pediatric hematology
- Infant iron metabolism
Background:
- Preterm infants are at high risk for iron deficiency due to limited iron stores and rapid growth.
- Serial assessment of iron status is crucial for monitoring and intervention in this vulnerable population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To serially assess the iron status of preterm infants during their first year of life.
- To compare iron status markers between different gestational age groups of preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study involving 49 preterm infants (mean gestational age 33.1 weeks).
- Serial measurements of hemoglobin, serum ferritin, serum transferrin, serum iron, and transferrin saturation over the first year.
- Comparison of iron status between infants with gestational age 28-32 weeks and 33-36 weeks.
Main Results:
- Infants born earlier (28-32 weeks) had significantly lower hemoglobin at 3, 6, and 9 weeks compared to those born later (33-36 weeks).
- Overall, mean hemoglobin nadir was 11.2 g/dL at 9 weeks.
- Twenty-six percent of infants exhibited iron deficiency based on serum ferritin or transferrin saturation levels.
Conclusions:
- Preterm infants, particularly those born earlier, are susceptible to developing iron deficiency within the first year.
- Early monitoring of iron status markers like hemoglobin and ferritin is essential for timely intervention in preterm neonates.
Abstract:
The iron status of 49 preterm infants (mean gestational age 33.1 weeks) was assessed serially during the 1st year of life. Haemoglobin concentration, serum ferritin, serum transferrin, serum iron, and transferrin saturation were measured on nine occasions in each infant. In 16 infants of gestational age 28-32 weeks the haemoglobin concentration was significantly lower at 3, 6, and 9 weeks when compared to 33 infants of gestational age 33-36 weeks. For all other measures of iron status there were no significant differences between these gestational age groups. For the entire group of 49 infants the mean haemoglobin concentration reached a nadir of 11.2 g/dl at 9 weeks. Mean serum iron and transferrin saturation reached peaks of 24 mumol/l and 65%, respectively, at 3 weeks. The mean serum ferritin remained over 100 micrograms/l until after 18 weeks. 13 infants (26%) had iron deficiency defined as either serum ferritin less than 10 micrograms/1 (n = 10) or transferrin saturation less than 10% (n = 5) or both (n = 3).