title: The efficacy and safety of early supplementation of iron polymaltose complex in preterm infants.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of early nonionic iron supplementation in preterm infants. Infants with gestational age < or = 32 weeks who were fed enriched human milk were assigned concurrently to receive 5 mg/kg/d enteral iron polymaltose complex (IPC) at 2 or 4 weeks of age. The levels of hemoglobin, reticulocytes, serum iron, ferritin, and soluble transferrin receptor were recorded at 2, 4, and 8 weeks of age. The incidence of morbidities associated with prematurity and the need for red blood cell transfusions (RBCTs) were recorded. The 2-week group (n = 32) had a better iron status than the 4-week group (n = 36) at 4 weeks and at 8 weeks of age. The incidence of morbidities associated with prematurity was not different among the groups ( P = 0.26). RBCT was required in one infants of the 2-week group and in 10 infants in the 4-week group ( P = 0.045). The number needed to treat to prevent one RBCT was five. Supplementation of 5 mg/kg/d enteral IPC to preterm infants fed enriched human milk as early as 2 weeks of age was more beneficial to iron status than at 4 weeks of age, and was associated with decreased need for RBCTs and no increase in the incidence of morbidities associated with prematurity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel.
authors.forename: Shmuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arnon
authors.forename: Yakov
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shiff
authors.forename: Ita
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Litmanovitz
authors.forename: Rivka H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Regev
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shainkin-Kestenbaum
authors.forename: Yoram
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bental
authors.forename: Tzipora
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dolfin
mesh_terms: D019587:Dietary Supplements; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion; D005260:Female; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D005290:Ferric Compounds; D006023:Glycoproteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C028196:polysaccharide-protein complex, Candida; C013276:teferrol