What question did this study set out to answer?

To study the incidence of iron deficiency at NICU discharge in very preterm infants and explore associated risk factors.

December 8, 2025BloodOpen Access

Iron deficiency at neonatal intensive care unit discharge in very preterm infants

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Retrospective cohort study assesses iron deficiency incidence in very preterm infants, indicating gestational hypertension increases risk.

To study the incidence of iron deficiency at NICU discharge in very preterm infants and explore associated risk factors.
Retrospective population-based cohort study at IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Canada.
Included very preterm infants born < 31 weeks GA between 2005-2018.
Infants with severe congenital malformations or who died prior to outcome assessment were excluded.
Prophylactic iron supplementation started at 2-4 weeks chronological age, with serum ferritin levels monitored.
31% of infants were iron deficient at NICU discharge, with a mean ferritin level of 34.7 ug/l.
Lower incidence of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus observed in the ID group (OR: 0.4).
ID group had fewer blood transfusions compared to the non-ID group (median IQR: 1(2)).
Gestational hypertension linked to higher ID incidence (OR: 2.6), being the only independent predictor.

Hamilton et al. (2025) studied this question.

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Retrospective cohort study assesses iron deficiency incidence in very preterm infants, indicating gestational hypertension increases risk.