Current practice of iron prophylaxis in preterm and low birth weight neonates: A survey among Italian Neonatal Units

Pediatr Neonatol. 2018 Dec;59(6):581-585. doi: 10.1016/j.pedneo.2018.01.013. Epub 2018 Feb 2.

Abstract

Background: Preterm babies are at high risk of iron deficiency.

Methods: We investigated current practices regarding iron prophylaxis in preterm and low birth weight newborns among Local Neonatal Units (LNUs, n = 74) and Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs, n = 20) of three Italian Regions (Piemonte, Marche and Lazio).

Results: Birth weight is considered an indicative parameter in only 64% of LNUs and 71% of NICUs, with a significant difference between LNUs in the three regions (86%, 20% and 62%, respectively; p < 0.001). Iron is recommended to infants with a birth weight between 2000 and 2500 g in only 25% of LNUs and 21% of NICUs, and to late-preterm (gestational age between 34 and 37 weeks) in a minority of Units (26% of LNUs, 7% of NICUs).

Conclusions: Our pilot survey documents a great variability and the urgent need to standardize practices according to literature recommendations.

Keywords: iron; iron deficiency anemia; newborn; preterm; prophylaxis.

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / prevention & control*
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Infant, Low Birth Weight
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / prevention & control
  • Intensive Care Units, Neonatal
  • Iron / therapeutic use*
  • Italy
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians' / statistics & numerical data*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Trace Elements / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Trace Elements
  • Iron