Comparison of Iron Status between Fullterm and Preterm Infants : An Experience in a Single Hospital for 2 Years / 대한주산의학회잡지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to compare the iron status of fullterm and preterm infants and to investigate effects of gender, IUGR, and maternal diabetes mellitus (DM) on iron status of infants. METHODS: We evaluated newborn infants admitted at neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Kyungpook National University Hospital from July 2011 to April 2013. The five parameters were measured: hemoglobin, hematocrit, ferritin, total iron binding capacity, and transferrin saturation. RESULTS: Serum ferritin was lower in preterm infants than in fullterm infants (209.5 vs 323.5 ng/mL, P=0.003). Hemoglobin, hematocrit, total iron binding capacity, and transferrin saturation levels were not influenced by gestational age. Maternal DM was associated with decreased serum ferritin (204.3 vs 347.8 microg/L, P=0.008). There was no difference of ferritin levels between male and female as well as between IUGR infants and non-IUGR infants. CONCLUSION: In this study, low gestational ages and maternal DM are associated with low ferritin level. Careful monitoring of iron status is required for preterm infants and infants of DM mother.