Research paper
Enteral iron supplementation in preterm and low birth weight infants.
Study answer
What this study found
Enteral iron supplementation probably improves hematologic iron status, with slightly higher hemoglobin levels, better iron stores, and a lower risk of iron deficiency anemia than no supplementation. The review found no clear evidence that iron supplementation improves long-term neurodevelopment or growth. Doses greater than about 2 to 3 mg/kg/day did not appear to provide additional hematologic benefit, and earlier initiation may improve hematologic parameters, but the best timing and duration remain uncertain.
- Study & population
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of 26 trials including 2726 infants.
- Intervention
- Prophylactic enteral iron supplementation in preterm and low birth weight infants, delivered in a variety of oral/enteral formulations including ferrous sulfate, ferric ammonium citrate, iron polymaltose complex, and iron-fortified formula.
- Key limitation
- The evidence base was heterogeneous, with many small and older trials using different iron formulations, doses, start times, durations, and feeding contexts.
View source
Open PDFOriginal abstract
BACKGROUND Preterm infants are at risk of exhausting their body iron stores much earlier than healthy term newborns. It is widespread practice to give enteral iron supplementation to preterm and low birth weight infants to prevent iron deficiency ana…