Iron supplements reduce the risk of iron deficiency anemia in marginally low birth weight infants.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether iron supplementation benefits marginally low birth weight (MLBW) infants by reducing the risk of iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA).
Results Summary
Iron supplementation significantly improved hemoglobin and iron status indicators in a dose-dependent manner, reducing ID prevalence from 36% (placebo) to 3.8% (2 mg/kg/day) and IDA from 9.9% to 0%. No adverse effects on growth or morbidity were observed.
Population
Healthy, marginally low birth weight infants (2000-2500 g).
Effective Dosage
0 (placebo), 1, or 2 mg/kg per day.
Duration
From 6 weeks to 6 months of age.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
iron supplements at a dose of 0 (placebo), 1, or 2 mg/kg per day between 6 weeks and 6 months of age | increase | hemoglobin and all iron status indicators | MLBW infants | significant dose-dependent | resulted in significant dose-dependent effects on | #1 |
iron supplements at a dose of 0 (placebo), 1, or 2 mg/kg per day between 6 weeks and 6 months of age | decrease | ID | MLBW infants | 36% in the placebo group, 8.2% in the 1 mg/kg per day group, and 3.8% in the 2 mg/kg per day group | prevalence of ID at 6 months was | #2 |
iron supplements at a dose of 0 (placebo), 1, or 2 mg/kg per day between 6 weeks and 6 months of age | decrease | IDA | MLBW infants | 9.9%, 2.7%, and 0%, respectively | prevalence rates of IDA were | #3 |
iron supplements at a dose of 0 (placebo), 1, or 2 mg/kg per day between 6 weeks and 6 months of age | no change | growth | MLBW infants | no significant differences | no significant differences between groups in | #4 |
iron supplements at a dose of 0 (placebo), 1, or 2 mg/kg per day between 6 weeks and 6 months of age | no change | morbidity | MLBW infants | no significant differences | no significant differences between groups in | #5 |
iron supplementation at 2 mg/kg per day from 6 weeks to 6 months | decrease | risk of ID and IDA | MLBW infants | effectively | reduces this risk effectively | #6 |
iron supplementation at 2 mg/kg per day from 6 weeks to 6 months | no change | morbidity | MLBW infants | no short-term adverse effects | no short-term adverse effects on | #7 |
iron supplementation at 2 mg/kg per day from 6 weeks to 6 months | no change | growth | MLBW infants | no short-term adverse effects | no short-term adverse effects on | #8 |
OBJECTIVE: Low birth weight infants are at risk for iron deficiency (ID). Most LBW infants have marginally low birth weight (MLBW, 2000-2500 g) and it is not known whether they benefit from iron supplements. The objective of this trial was to study the effects of iron supplementation in MLBW infants. METHOD: In a randomized controlled trial, we assigned 285 healthy, MLBW infants to receive iron supplements at a dose of 0 (placebo), 1, or 2 mg/kg per day between 6 weeks and 6 months of age. Hemoglobin levels, ferritin levels, transferrin saturation, mean cell volume, and transferrin receptor levels were analyzed at 6 months. Growth and morbidity were monitored. RESULTS: Iron supplementation resulted in significant dose-dependent effects on hemoglobin and all iron status indicators at 6 months. The prevalence of ID at 6 months was 36% in the placebo group, 8.2% in the 1 mg/kg per day group, and 3.8% in the 2 mg/kg per day group (P<.001). The prevalence rates of ID anemia (IDA) were 9.9%, 2.7%, and 0%, respectively (P=.004). Among infants who were exclusively breastfed at 6 weeks, the prevalence of IDA was 18% in the placebo group. There were no significant differences between groups in growth or morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: MLBW infants have relatively high risks of ID and IDA, especially if they are breastfed. Iron supplementation at 2 mg/kg per day from 6 weeks to 6 months reduces this risk effectively, with no short-term adverse effects on morbidity or growth.