title: Medicinal iron to low birth weight infants.
abstract: Serum ferritin concentrations were measured during the first 6 months of life in 28 low birth weight infants (mean birth weight 1820 g range 900-2460; mean gestational age 34 weeks range 29-37) fed a standard formula fortified with ferrous sulphate. Fifteen of the infants received supplementary medicinal iron (ferrous succinate) from 3 weeks of age, and 13 only from 2 months of age. All were given vitamin E from 10 days of age. The serum ferritin values did not differ between the groups at 1-2 days, 8-10 weeks or at 6 months. Furthermore, there were no signs of hyperhaemolysis at 8-10 weeks in the group receiving medicinal iron early. The data indicate that the iron content in the formula is sufficient until 2 months of age, but also that thereis no disadvantage in starting medicinal iron at 3 weeks of age, if the diet is sufficient in vitamin E.
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood*; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D007225:Infant Food; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007501:Iron / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D013431:Sulfates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D013431:Sulfates; D014810:Vitamin E; C020748:ferrous sulfate; C022943:ferrous succinate; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron