Serum ferritin in very low birth weight infants and its influence factors

Abstract

Objective To identify iron nutritional status in very low birth weight infants(VLBWI) and its influence factors. Methods A total of 115 babies admitted from January to December 2014 were included in the study.Serum ferritin of new born infants was analyzed.The clinical data of gestational age, birth weight, hemoglobin, iatrogenic blood loss, cumulative volume of blood transfusion and pregnancy maternal diseases(diabetes, hypertension and anemia) were analyzed. Results The serum ferritin of 115 VLBWI were 100.8 to 210.3 μg/L, the average were(140.32±13.21) μg/L; the minimum serum ferritin of babies born <32 weeks gestational age were(124.5±31.3) μg/L.Smaller the VLBWI gestational age, the lower the basic baby serum ferritin(F=14.367, P=0.000). More severe the maternal anemia, the lower the basic baby serum ferritin levels[no anemia: (230.9±68.7) μg/L, mild anemia: (189.5±75.3) μg/L, moderate anemia: (133.5±88.1) μg/L, severe anemia: (122.2±56.8) μg/L; P<0.05]. Lower the level of hemoglobin, the lower the basic level of serum ferritin(P<0.05). Volume of blood transfusion had a huge impact on the last serum ferritin levels(P<0.05). Conclusion Improvement of the basic baby serum ferritin level in the early stage is useful to ensure the VLBWI iron reserves.It is necessary to regularly monitor serum ferritin during hospitalization and even after discharge. Key words: Very low birth weight; Serum ferritin; Hemoglobin; Influence factors