Postdischarge iron requirements of the preterm infant

With the exception of recent studies detailing the postdischarge iron requirements of the marginally LBW infant, there is a remarkable paucity of data regarding the postdischarge iron status and iron requirements of LBW infants. Observational studies and factorial approaches suggest that VLBW infants may have iron requirements in excess of 2 mgkg 1day 1 during their first postdischarge year in order to achieve the iron status of the full term infant at 1 year of age. Intervention studies suggest that iron intakes less than that amount may support hemoglobin synthesis. However, iron stores as indexed by ferritin concentrations suggest that the infants enter their second postnatal year with low or low-normal iron stores, and this may place them at greater risk for iron deficiency during toddlerhood. Few recommendations exist for monitoring iron status in these infants, but it would seem prudent to monitor their hematologic and iron status both at discharge and at follow-up.