Effect of an enteral iron dosing change on hemoglobin and transfusion rates in very low birth weight infants

Abstract

ObjectivesTo evaluate the impact of targeting 2 mg/kg/day of enteral iron supplementation versus 4 mg/kg/day on hemoglobin and transfusion endpoints in very low birth weight neonates. MethodsRetrospective cohort study of neonates less than 32 weeks gestational age or less than 1500 g at birth who received iron supplementation within the first 12 weeks of life. Patients received weight-based standard enteral iron supplementation targeting 4 mg/kg/day (Group 1) or 2 mg/kg/day (Group 2). Results110 of 163 patients met inclusion criteria. A change from targeting 4 to 2 mg/kg/day in enteral standard iron supplementation did not affect the nadir in hemoglobin, proportion of patients requiring transfusion, or average number of transfusions. ConclusionsTargeting a lower goal of standard enteral iron supplementation does not decrease time to hemoglobin nadir or value of nadir.