ABSTRACT
We have examined the effect on iron stores of blood transfusions given to premature
neonates during hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit as reflected by
serum ferritin levels measured for 6 months after discharge.
Premature infants who were transfused with more than 100 ml packed cells (group D;
n = 11) had higher ferritin levels for a longer period than premature infants who
were transfused with smaller volumes (group c; n = 9) or premature and mature infants
who were not transfused at all (group B; n = 24 and group A; n = 21, respectively).
At 4-5 months the serum ferritin levels in group D (489.8 ± 132.1 μg/L; mean ± SEM)
were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than those of the other groups. The level of group A term infants (77.5
±12.5 μg/L) was higher than those of group B premature infants who did not receive
a blood transfusion (33.0 ± 7.1 μg/L) or group C who received less than 100 ml (36.5
± 8.8 μg/L packed red blood cells. However, these differences were not statistically
significant.
Our data demonstrate that very-low-birthweight infants who receive a large volume
of packed cells during hospitalization may accumulate iron stores sufficient for red
cell production during the first 6 months of life.
Administration of large amounts of supplemental iron, in such cases, may be curtailed.
