Oral iron supplementation in preterm infants treated with erythropoietin.
BACKGROUND
It is not known whether a moderate dose of oral iron supplementation would further enhance erythropoiesis in recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO)-treated very low-birthweight (VLBW) infants.


METHODS
In total, 24 preterm infants with birthweights 750-1499 g were enrolled at the age of 14-28 days to receive 400 IU/kg per week EPO subcutaneously for 8 weeks. The infants were randomly allocated either to receive oral iron supplementation 4 mg/kg per day or to serve as controls.


RESULTS
Hemoglobin and the absolute reticulocyte count in the iron supplementation and the control groups remained identical throughout the study period, whereas serum ferritin was significantly lower in the control group at study exit and follow up. Rates of treatment success (no need for transfusion and hemoglobin never below 8 g/dL) also did not differ between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study we did not find a clear advantage in a moderate dose of oral iron supplementation on erythropoiesis in EPO-treated VLBW infants. Whether a higher dose would lead to enhanced erythropoiesis remains to be answered.
Fujiu
Toru
T
Department of Neonatology, Gunma Children's Medical Center, Gunma, Japan. tfujiu@gcmc.pref.gunma.jp
Maruyama
Kenichi
K
Koizumi
Takenobu
T
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000751:Anemia, Neonatal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D011336:Probability; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D017701:Reticulocyte Count; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005290:Ferric Compounds; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D005293:Ferritins