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This study aims to determine the prevalence and predictors of iron deficiency in very-low-birth-weight infants at hospital discharge.

June 19, 2026ChildrenOpen Access

Prevalence and Predictors of Iron Deficiency at Hospital Discharge in Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants: A Prospective Single-Center Observational Study Using RET-He and Serum Ferritin

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Prospective cohort study identifies iron deficiency predictors at discharge in very-low-birth-weight infants, highlighting clinical implications.

This study aims to determine the prevalence and predictors of iron deficiency in very-low-birth-weight infants at hospital discharge.
Prospective cohort study evaluating iron status in 68 very-low-birth-weight infants at 36 weeks post-menstrual age or discharge.
Iron deficiency defined as serum ferritin below 75 ng/mL or RET-He below 28 pg.
Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify clinical factors associated with iron deficiency.
39.7% of infants were iron deficient at discharge; only 1.5% were anaemic.
Higher gestational age (aOR 1.81, 95% CI 1.07–3.06) and lower haemoglobin at birth (aOR 0.63, 95% CI 0.42–0.96) predicted iron deficiency.
At 6–12 months, 18.8% had anaemia and 50% had iron deficiency, with no significant factors identified.

Surapolchai et al. (2026) studied this question.

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Prospective cohort study identifies iron deficiency predictors at discharge in very-low-birth-weight infants, highlighting clinical implications.