The importance of iron for newborns

Overview

The importance of iron for newborns

Iron is essential for the development of the brain of newborns. It plays a key role in synaptogenesis, myelination, energy metabolism and neurotransmitter production. Lack of iron in the critical phase of brain development poses a risk of permanent structural changes with impaired function, and these changes are irreversible despite later iron supplementation. Premature newborns and children requiring intensive care are at increased risk of iron deficiency. They have high demands for its replacement due to insufficient supplies due to lower gestational age, repeated blood sampling, insufficient nutrition and rapid growth. Individual enteral iron supplementation in the early neonatal period begins with oral administration of iron in a dose of 2 − 6 mg/kg/day from the second week of life, if the volume of enteral nutrition reaches 100 ml/kg/day. Regular monitoring of ferritin concentration is necessary in order to sufficiently optimize the amount of iron in the body. Administering iron prevents the need for transfusion and supports better psychomotor development in premature babies.

Keywords:

Neurodevelopment – Iron – oxidative stress – newborn – growth