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Am J Perinatol 2017; 34(13): 1340-1346
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1603461
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Assessment of Iron Status and the Effect of Red Blood Cell Transfusion in Premature Infants

Olubukunola Adesanya
1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas
,
Claudia Weinheimer
1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas
2   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
,
Jordan Burdine
3   Department of Pharmacy Practice, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas
,
Sherry Luedtke
3   Department of Pharmacy Practice, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

09 November 2016

20 April 2017

Publication Date:
22 May 2017 (online)

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Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate iron deficiency in preterm infants and determine impact of blood transfusions on serum iron (SI) and ferritin (FTN).

Study Design A prospective evaluation of baseline and weekly hemoglobin (Hgb), hematocrit (Hct), SI, FTN levels in premature infants with birth weights (BWs) < 2,500 g or gestational age (GA) < 34 weeks was performed to determine the impact of GA, BW, and blood transfusion on iron status. Comparisons of the baseline and 1 month values of these measures were performed as well as pre- and posttransfusion.

Results In 125 preterm infants, the mean Hgb, Hct, and SI levels at birth were lower for infants < 28 weeks GA. Post hoc analysis revealed statistically significant lower iron values in infants ≤ 28 weeks GA compared with infants at 28 to 34 weeks GA (p = 0.013) and infants ≥ 34 weeks GA (p = 0.007). FTN and SI values at 1 month were not significantly impacted by blood transfusions.

Conclusion Infants < 28 weeks have lower SI levels at birth. The SI and FTN at 1 month of age were not significantly influenced by blood transfusions.

Keywords

premature infant - serum iron level - serum ferritin level - red blood cell transfusion
 

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