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Iron Supplementation in Preterm Infants: A Study Comparing the Effect and Tolerance of a Fe2+ and a Nonionic FeIII Compound
Author(s) -
Naude S.,
Clijsen S.,
Naulaers G.,
Daniels H.,
Vanhole C.,
Devlieger H.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
the journal of clinical pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.92
H-Index - 116
eISSN - 1552-4604
pISSN - 0091-2700
DOI - 10.1177/009127000004001215
Subject(s) - medicine , pharmacology , chemistry
The more widely used divalent forms of iron (Fe 2+ ) supplementation often lead to gastrointestinal symptoms in preterm infants although little is known about the use of nonionic trivalent iron preparations (FeIII) in these patients. It is especially under this nonionic form that dietary iron is available. For this reason, a randomized controlled study was undertaken to compare the efficacy and the extent of possible side effects in two groups of preterm infants. In one group, the elemental iron was given in the Fe 2+ form, while the other group received a nonionic trivalent iron (FeIII) complexed with polysaccharides of low molecular weight. Both groups received 7.5 mg elemental iron daily. Measured parameters in the two study groups did not differ significantly throughout the study period of 14 weeks. Both forms of iron supplementation were well tolerated. However, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation occurred slightly more often in the group receiving iron supplementation in the Fe 2+ form without reaching statistical difference. The authors found a nonionic trivalent polysaccharide‐iron complex given as iron supplementation as effective as the generally more favored ferrous sulphate. Since iron therapy is mandatory in the preterm infant, the use of trivalent iron complexes can be considered as a good alternative .