Iron supplementation until 6 months protects marginally low-birth-weight infants from iron deficiency during their first year of life.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine the long-term effects of iron supplementation (0, 1, or 2 mg/kg/day) on iron status and growth in marginally low-birth-weight infants (2000-2500 g) when administered until 6 months of age.
Results Summary
Iron supplementation at 2 mg/kg/day significantly reduced iron depletion at 12 months (6.8% vs. 23.7% in placebo) and showed trends for reducing functional iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. No differences in iron status or growth were observed by 3.5 years.
Population
Healthy marginally low-birth-weight infants (2000-2500 g).
Effective Dosage
0, 1, or 2 mg/kg/day.
Duration
From 6 weeks to 6 months of age.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
iron supplements (0 mg · kg(-1) · day(-1)) | neutral | iron depletion | marginally LBW infants (2000-2500 g) | 23.7% | resulted in a prevalence of | #1 |
iron supplements (1 mg · kg(-1) · day(-1)) | decrease | iron depletion | marginally LBW infants (2000-2500 g) | 10.6% | resulted in a prevalence of | #2 |
iron supplements (2 mg · kg(-1) · day(-1)) | decrease | iron depletion | marginally LBW infants (2000-2500 g) | 6.8% | resulted in a prevalence of | #3 |
iron supplements (0, 1, or 2 mg · kg(-1) · day(-1)) | neutral | ferritin | marginally LBW infants (2000-2500 g) | - | there was a significant difference in | #4 |
iron supplements (0, 1, or 2 mg · kg(-1) · day(-1)) | neutral | iron depletion | marginally LBW infants (2000-2500 g) | - | there was a significant difference in the prevalence of | #5 |
iron supplements (0, 1, or 2 mg · kg(-1) · day(-1)) | no change | functional ID | marginally LBW infants (2000-2500 g) | - | there were similar nonsignificant trends for | #6 |
iron supplements (0, 1, or 2 mg · kg(-1) · day(-1)) | no change | ID anemia | marginally LBW infants (2000-2500 g) | - | there were similar nonsignificant trends for | #7 |
iron supplements (0, 1, or 2 mg · kg(-1) · day(-1)) | no change | iron status | marginally LBW infants (2000-2500 g) | - | there were no significant differences in | #8 |
iron supplements (0, 1, or 2 mg · kg(-1) · day(-1)) | neutral | iron depletion | marginally LBW infants (2000-2500 g) | 3.2% | the mean prevalence of | #9 |
iron supplements (0, 1, or 2 mg · kg(-1) · day(-1)) | no change | anthropometric data (length, weight, head circumference) | marginally LBW infants (2000-2500 g) | - | were not affected by | #10 |
iron supplements with 2 mg · kg(-1) · day(-1) until 6 months of life | decrease | ID (iron deficiency) | marginally LBW infants (2000-2500 g) | - | effectively reduces the risk of | #11 |
iron supplements with 2 mg · kg(-1) · day(-1) until 6 months of life | decrease | early ID (iron deficiency) | marginally LBW infants (2000-2500 g) | - | is an effective intervention for preventing | #12 |
OBJECTIVES: Low-birth-weight (LBW) infants (<2500 g) have an increased risk of iron deficiency (ID) during their first 6 months of life. The optimal dose and duration of iron supplementation to LBW infants are, however, unknown. The objective of the present study was to investigate the long-term effect on iron status and growth in marginally LBW (2000-2500 g) infants, of iron supplements given until 6 months of life. METHODS: In a randomized controlled trial, 285 healthy marginally LBW infants received 0, 1, or 2 mg · kg(-1) · day(-1) of iron supplements from 6 weeks to 6 months of age. At 12 months and 3.5 years of life we measured length, weight, head circumference, and indicators of iron status (hemoglobin, ferritin, mean corpuscular volume, and transferrin saturation) and assessed the prevalence of iron depletion, functional ID, and ID anemia. RESULTS: At 12 months of age, there was a significant difference in ferritin between the groups (P = 0.006). Furthermore, there was a significant difference in the prevalence of iron depletion (23.7%, 10.6%, and 6.8%, respectively, in the placebo, 1-mg, and 2-mg groups, P = 0.009) and similar nonsignificant trends for functional ID and ID anemia. At 3.5 years of life there were no significant differences in iron status and the mean prevalence of iron depletion was 3.2%. Anthropometric data were not affected by the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Iron supplements with 2 mg · kg(-1) · day(-1) until 6 months of life effectively reduces the risk of ID during the first 12 months of life and is an effective intervention for preventing early ID in marginally LBW infants.