PLASMA FERRITIN CONCENTRATIONS IN PRETERM INFANTS IN CORD BLOOD AND DURING THE EARLY ANAEMIA OF PREMATURITY

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Abstract
Ferritin concentrations in cord blood were determined in 22 normal term and 32 preterm infants (birth weights 600-2000 g). Eight of the preterms were SGA [small for gestational age] infants. AGA [appropriate for gestational age] preterm infants had significantly lower concentrations than term infants and the SGA preterm newborn had even lower levels. Plasma ferritin in cord blood of the term and AGA preterm infants correlated positively with plasma Fe and transferrin saturations but not with the transferrin level; plasma Fe and transferrin concentrations correlated positively. In a longitudinal study, 17 AGA preterm infants (birth weights 850-1500 g) were followed during the early anemia of prematurity. Fe was supplemented from 4 wk of age. Plasma ferritin rose rapidly during the 1st days after birth, peak-levels being reached at 1-4 wk. Thereafter linear falls (semilog) occurred with similar slopes in different infants. Transferrin concentrations showed a slow progressive increase from 0-8 wk. Plasma ferritin, after reaching the peak value, correlated negatively with weight gain. No infant had low ferritin values indicating Fe deficiency during the early anemia.