Benefits of iron supplementation for low birth weight infants: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: A number of studies have reported on the effects of iron supplementation in low birth weight infants; however, no systematic review of the available evidence has been conducted to date. Hence, we performed a systematic review of the literature to examine the effects of iron supplementation on hematologic iron status, growth, neurodevelopment, and adverse effects in low birth weight/premature infants. METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Library, Medline, and PubMed for articles reporting on the effects of iron supplementation in low weight infants. The following search terms were used: "preterm born infant(s)/children"; "preterm infants"; "prematurely born children" "weight less than 1500 g at birth"; "born prematurely"; "low birth weight infant(s)"; "infants born preterm"; "prematurity"; "small-for-gestational age"; "very small gestational age infants"; "iron supplementation"; "iron intake"; "iron supplements"; "ferric and/or ferrous compounds"; and "ferrous sulphate/fumarate/sulfate". RESULTS: A total of 15 studies were identified and included in the systematic review. Supplemental iron was given orally or as an iron-fortified formula in 14/15 studies. The duration of treatment ranged from 1 week to 18 months. Iron supplementation significantly increased hematologic measures of iron status (including hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum ferritin) relative to placebo or over time in most studies. All controlled studies that examined iron-deficiency anemia (IDA)/ID reported a decreased prevalence of IDA/ID with iron supplementation. Dose dependent decreases in the prevalence of IDA/ID were reported in several studies. Of the 5 studies reporting on growth, none found any significant effect on growth-related parameters (length, height, weight, and head circumference). Only 2 studies reported on neurodevelopment; no marked effects were reported. There were no consistently reported adverse effects, including oxidative stress, inhibited nutrient absorption, morbidity, or the requirement for blood transfusion. CONCLUSION: The available data suggest that iron supplementation increases the levels of hematologic indicators of iron status and reduces the prevalence of IDA/ID in low birth weight/premature infants. There is insufficient evidence to make a definitive statement regarding the effects of iron supplementation on growth, neurodevelopment, or the occurrence of adverse effects in low birth weight/premature infants.

[Comparison of efficacy among early, conventional and late intravenous gamma globulin treatment of Kawasaki disease].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the rates of intravenous gamma globulin (IVIG) non-responder and coronary complication among early, conventional and late IVIG treatment in children with Kawasaki disease (KD). METHODS: All children with KD and IVIG treatment were retrospectively analyzed at 45 hospitals in Beijing during the 5-year period from 2000 through 2004. The time of IVIG treatment was classified as early (Day 1 - 4), conventional (Day 5 - 9) and late treatment group (Day 10 or later). The efficacy of IVIG was judged by the rate of IVIG non-responder. Echocardiography was used to assess the coronary complication at acute (1 - 2 weeks after onset) and sub-acute (3 - 6 weeks after onset) stage. RESULTS: A total of 1052 patients (680 boys, 372 girls) aged 2 months to 13.8 years were included. They were grouped as early, conventional and late treatment in 108, 763 and 181 children respectively. The rate of IVIG non-responders was higher in early (28.7%, 31/108) as compared with conventional (11.9%, 91/763) and late treatment group (7.2%, 13/181, both P < 0.01). The incidences of coronary complications were similar in early (17.6%, 19/108 and 5.9%, 4/68) and conventional treatment group (18.3%, 140/ 763 and 5.5%, 25/452), while significantly higher in late treatment group (33.7%, 61/181 and 12.8%, 15/117) in acute and sub-acute stages (both P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: IVIG treatment in children with KD for a disease duration of 1 - 4 days appeared to increase the rate of IVIG non-responders. Children with IVIG given at Day 10 or later had a higher incidence of acute and sub-acute coronary complications. IVIG given at Day 5 - 9 seems to be the best time for IVIG therapy in KD.

[Effects of three intravenous gamma globulin regimens on Kawasaki disease and relevant coronary complication rates in pediatric patients: a comparative study].

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects on Kawasaki disease (KD) of 3 different intravenous gamma globulin (IVIG) regimens and coronary complication rates in children with Kawasaki disease (KD). METHODS: The clinical data of 1052 children with KD treated in 45 hospitals in Beijing from 2000 through 2004, 680 male and 372 female, aged 2 months-13.8 years, 656 (60.1%) undergoing IVIG 2 g/kg for one dose (single dose group), 292 (26.7%) undergoing 1 g.kg(-1).d(-1) for 2 days (2 d group), and 104 (9.5%) undergoing 400 - 600 mg.kg(-1).d(-1) for 4 - 5 d (4 - 5 d group) in addition of oral administration of aspirin, were analyzed retrospectively. Echocardiography was used to assess the occurrence of coronary complications 1 - 2 weeks after onset (acute stage) and 3 - 6 weeks after onset (sub-acute stage). RESULTS: The rate of IVIG non-responder of the 2 d group was 20.9%, significantly higher than those of the single dose group and 4 - 5 d group (9.9% and 8.7% respectively, both P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in rates of coronary complication, pericardial effusion, and mitral regurgitation at the acute stage among the 3 groups (all P > 0.05). However, the rates of coronary complication and of coronary aneurysm at the sub-acute stage of the single dose group were 5.1% and 1.6%, significantly lower than those of the 4 - 5 d group (11.6% and 4.7%) and 2 d group (9.8% and 5.4%, P = 0.035 - 0.047) were significantly lower in single dose group (5.1% and 1.6%) as compared to those in 4 - 5 d group and (11.6% and 4.7%) and 2 d group (9.8% and 5.4%) (P = 0.035 - 0.047). CONCLUSION: IVIG 2 g/kg in a single dose has lower rates of coronary complications and IVIG non-responders in children with KD, and is recommended for initial KD therapy.