Iron deficiency (ID) early in life is associated with adverse neurodevelopmental and behavioural outcomes later in life. Breast-fed (BF) preterm infants are considered at particularly increased risk of ID due to the lower iron content of breast milk. Therefore, iron supplementation is routinely recommended for these infants. Whereas the supplemental iron requirements of formula fed (FF) preterm infants are generally lower due to the presence of iron in formulas. In this video, Grace Power, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada, outlines findings from a study which investigated how feeding type influenced the iron status of very preterm infants at 4-6-months. Out of the 392 infants included in this study, 285 were exclusively FF with iron-rich formula and 107 were exclusively or partially BF. Results demonstrated that ID is significantly more prevalent in FF infants (36.8%) than BF infants (20.6%) despite higher iron intake overall. Moreover, lower gestational age, lower birth weight and need for blood transfusions were associated with ID in FF infants. Overall, these observations suggest the need to revisit the international recommendations for iron supplementation in FF very preterm infants. This press briefing took place at the 64th ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition congress in New Orleans, LA.
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