Haematological effect of iron supplementation in breast fed term low birth weight infants

Aims: To determine the haematological effects of iron supplementation in predominantly breast fed term low birth weight ( LBW) infants. Methods: Seventy three healthy term LBW (, 2500 g), predominantly breast fed infants aged 50-80 days were randomised into two groups to receive either iron (3 mg/kg/day) (iron supplemented ( IS) group; n = 37) or placebo drops (placebo ( P) group; n = 36). Haematological parameters and anthropometry were measured at baseline and repeated after four and eight weeks. Results: A total of 62 subjects ( 32 in the IS group and 30 in the P group) came for the first follow up and 26 ( 13 in the IS group and 13 in the P group) reported for the second visit. There were no significant differences in serum ferritin and anthropometry. However, covariates ( infant age, haemoglobin, and ferritin, and maternal haemoglobin) adjusted haemoglobin change was significantly higher in the IS group after four weeks (4.6 g/l; 95% CI 0.5 to 8.8) and eight weeks (8.6 g/l; 95% CI 1.8 to 15.4). Conclusions: Iron supplementation in a therapeutic dose in term breast fed LBW infants results in a marginal increase in haemoglobin. The functional benefit of this haemoglobin rise requires further evaluation.