scholarly journals Iron Deficiency and Iron Homeostasis in Low Birth Weight Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1090 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Moreno-Fernandez ◽  
Julio J. Ochoa ◽  
Gladys O. Latunde-Dada ◽  
Javier Diaz-Castro

Iron is an essential micronutrient that is involved in many functions in humans, as it plays a critical role in the growth and development of the central nervous system, among others. Premature and low birth weight infants have higher iron requirements due to increased postnatal growth compared to that of term infants and are, therefore, susceptible to a higher risk of developing iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia. Notwithstanding, excess iron could affect organ development during the postnatal period, particularly in premature infants that have an immature and undeveloped antioxidant system. It is important, therefore, to perform a review and analyze the effects of iron status on the growth of premature infants. This is a transversal descriptive study of retrieved reports in the scientific literature by a systematic technique. PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were adapted for the review strategy. The inclusion criteria for the studies were made using the PICO (population, intervention, comparison, outcome) model. Consequently, the systematic reviews that included studies published between 2008–2018 were evaluated based on the impact of iron status on parameters of growth and development in preterm infants.

2019 ◽  
Vol 77 (12) ◽  
pp. 865-877 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine K McCarthy ◽  
Eugene M Dempsey ◽  
Mairead E Kiely

Abstract Context Enteral iron supplementation in preterm infants is recommended to supply sufficient iron for growth and development without increasing the risk of iron overload. However, the current recommendations date from 2010 and are based on limited evidence. Objective This systematic review aimed to investigate the effects of enteral iron supplementation on iron status, growth, neurological development, and adverse clinical outcomes in preterm (<37 weeks’ gestation) and low-birth-weight (LBW, <2500 g) infants. Data sources The PubMed/Medline and Cochrane Library databases were searched to 31 October 2018. Data extraction Of the 684 records identified, 27 articles, describing 18 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) plus 4 nonrandomized interventions, were included. Using the Cochrane Collaboration’s criteria, study quality was found to be poor to fair overall. Results Most articles (23/27) reported iron status indices; supplementation for ≥8 weeks resulted in increased hemoglobin and ferritin concentrations and a reduction in iron deficiency and anemia. No article reported on iron overload. Growth-related parameters reported in 12 articles were not affected by supplementation. Among the 7 articles on neurological development, a positive effect on behavior at 3.5 and 7 years was observed in one Swedish RCT. No association was found between supplementation and adverse clinical outcomes in the 9 articles reporting on studies in which such data was collected. Conclusions Long-term iron supplementation appears to result in improved iron status and a reduction in iron deficiency and anemia in preterm and LBW infants. However, high-quality evidence regarding the long-term effects of supplementation on functional health outcomes is lacking. Iron overload has largely been ignored. Well-designed, long-term, dose-response RCTs are required to ascertain the optimal dose and delivery method for the provision of dietary iron in preterm infants, with consideration of short- and long-term health effects. Systematic Review Registration PROSPERO registration no. CRD42018085214.


2017 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henny Adriani Puspitasari ◽  
Endang Windiastuti ◽  
Aryono Hendarto

Background Preterm infants are vulnerable to iron deficiency (ID) due to lack of maternal iron stores, repeated phlebotomy, and the body’s increased demand for iron during growth. The risk of ID increases at 2 months of age, when hemoglobin (Hb) levels start to decrease. Adequacy of body iron level is assessed by ferritin, serum iron (SI), transferrin saturation (Tfsat), total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and Hb measurements.Objective To describe iron profiles in preterm infants at 2 months of chronological age (CA).Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2-month-old infants, born at 32-36 weeks of gestational age, and who visited the Growth and Development Clinics at Cipto Mangunkusumo, Fatmawati, or Budi Kemuliaan Hospitals. Parental interviews and medical record reviews were done during the clinic visits. Complete blood count, blood smear, SI, TIBC, Tfsat, and ferritin level tests were performed.Results Eighty-three subjects were enrolled in this study. Most subjects were male (51%) and born to mothers >20 years of age (93%). Subjects’ birth weights ranged from 1,180 g to 2,550 g. The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) was 6% and that of ID was 10%. The lowest Hb level found in IDA infants was 6.8 g/dL, while the lowest ferritin level was 8.6 ng/mL. Median values for the other tests were as follows: SI 48 µg/dL, TIBC 329µg/dL, and Tfsat 17%. Subjects with IDA were all male (5/5), mostly achieved more than twice their birth weight (4/5), were non-iron supplemented (3/5), born to mothers with low educational background (3/5), and of low socioeconomic status (3/5).Conclusion The prevalence of IDA is 6% and that of ID is 10%. Most subjects with ID and IDA have low SI, high TIBC, low Tfsat, and low ferritin level. Most of the all-male IDA subjects weigh more than twice their birth weight, are non-iron supplemented, and born to mothers with low educational background and low socioeconomic status.


2021 ◽  
Vol 05 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Sahar Talab ◽  
Sarab Jasim

Birth weight is a crucial determinant of the developmental potential of the newborn. Birth weight is the body weight of a baby at its birth. The range of normal is between 2.5 and 4.5 kilograms (5.5 and 9.9 lb). On average, babies of south Asian and Chinese heritage weigh about 3.26 kilograms (7.2 lb). Abnormal newborn weights are associated with negative effects on the health and survival of the baby and the mother. World Health Organization has defined low birth weight as birth weight less than 2,500 grams. Giving birth to a low-birth-weight infant is influenced by several factors. This study aimed to identify key determinants that influence the frequency of normal and low birth weight in Salah Al-Deen general Hospital in Tikrit city-Iraq. This study is a Cross- sectional study, was conducted in obstetric department in Salah Al-Deen general hospital during the period from 1st Feb to the 31st of August 2020. The study sample included full term babies (gestational age 37-42 week) chosen by using a convenient sampling method selecting 197 delivered babies with their mothers. Data collection done by face-to-face interview, using the structured questionnaire developed by the researcher include the following information: Information regarding the mother included demographic variables, reproductive health, medical and obstetrical history and antenatal care visits, use of ferrous sulfate and other supplements during pregnancy. Birth weight was measured at birth, to the nearest 50 g, with the nude infant lying on the available scale. Zero adjustment of the scale was frequently done to ensure accuracy of the readings. Birth weight was categorized into two as low birth weight (birth weight < 2500 grams), and normal birth weight (birth weight ≥ 2500 grams). The current study showed that prevalence of low birth weight was (2.4%), macrosomia (15.6%) and normal birth weight was (82%). The study showed that the low birth weight was higher among primigravida (3.4%), than multigravida women (1.7%) and that the low birth weight was higher among 1st and 2nd birth order (3.4%), (6.7%) respectively while it was (0%) among the 3rd baby order. Previous history of Diabetes Mellitus was associated with 0(0%) low birth weight babies and (2.6%) of those women without Diabetes Mellitus had low birth weight babies. Those with history of iron deficiency anemia was more prone to had babies with low birth weight (3.1%), versus those without history of iron deficiency anemia (1.3%). Those with history of hypertension more prone to had babies with low birth weight (4%), versus those without history of iron deficiency anemia (2.2%). The current study showed that those with ferrous sulfate supplements had lower proportion of babies with low birth weight (1.2%), versus those without supplements (7.7%), this relation statistically significant. This study has demonstrated that the younger maternal age, mother with diabetes mellitus, hypertension and irregular antenatal care had babies with lower birth weight. Previous history of low birth weight also is a predisposing factor for low birth weight.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1982 ◽  
Vol 69 (6) ◽  
pp. 832-833
Author(s):  
P. R. Swyer ◽  
T. Heim ◽  
B. Reichman

The paper by Heimler et al1 concerning thermal environmental effects on growth and increase in skinfold thickness in premature infants was of interest to us in relation to our own work on macronutrient and energy accretion in the very low-birth-weight preterm infant. We are having some difficulty in reconciling the increase in skinfold thickness measurement reported by Heimler et al with our own measurements as well as with those reported in the literature. For example, the figure given by Heimler et al for preterm infants (their group A) reared in incubators was 0.21-mm skinfold thickness increase per day (average of four sites).


2006 ◽  
Vol 74 (11) ◽  
pp. 6398-6407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tjalling Leenstra ◽  
Hannah M. Coutinho ◽  
Luz P. Acosta ◽  
Gretchen C. Langdon ◽  
Li Su ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT There is a relationship between schistosomiasis and anemia, although the magnitude and exact mechanisms involved are unclear. In a cohort of 580 Schistosoma japonicum-infected 7- to 30-year-old patients from Leyte, The Philippines, we evaluated the impact of reinfection with S. japonicum after treatment with praziquantel on the mean hemoglobin level, iron-deficiency (IDA) and non-iron-deficiency anemia (NIDA), and inflammatory markers. All participants were treated at baseline and followed up every 3 months for a total of 18 months. At each follow-up, participants provided stools to quantify reinfection and venous blood samples for hemograms and measures of iron status and inflammation. After 18 months, reinfection with S. japonicum was associated with a lower mean hemoglobin level (−0.39 g/dl; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], −0.63 to −0.16) and 1.70 (95% CI, 1.10 to 2.61) times higher odds of all-cause anemia than those without reinfection. Reinfection was associated with IDA for high reinfection intensities only. Conversely, reinfection was associated with NIDA for all infection intensities. Reinfection was associated with serum interleukin-6 responses (P < 0.01), and these responses were associated with NIDA (P = 0.019) but not with IDA (P = 0.29). Our results provide strong evidence for the causal relationship between S. japonicum infection and anemia. Rapidly reinfected individuals did not have the positive treatment effect on hemoglobin seen in nonreinfected individuals. The principle mechanism involved in S. japonicum-associated anemia is that of proinflammatory cytokine-mediated anemia, with iron deficiency playing a role in high-intensity infections. Based on the proposed mechanism, anemia is unlikely to be ameliorated by iron therapy alone.


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