Iron absorption and oxidant stress during erythropoietin therapy in very low birth weight premature infants: a cohort study

• Main Authors: Aziz Khalid (Author), Andrews Wayne L (Author), Friel James K (Author), Serfass Robert E (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: BMC, 2005-08-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.1186/1471-2431-5-29; 1471-2431
• Keywords: Pediatrics; RJ1-570
• Source: BMC Pediatrics, Vol 5, Iss 1, p 29 (2005)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Iron supplementation may be associated with oxidative stress particularly in premature infants. Our purpose was to examine 1) early supplemental iron during treatment with erythropoietin (EPO) and oxidative stress; 2) enhanced iron absorption during EPO in those infants receiving human milk. Therefore, we determined the effect of erythropoietin plus supplemental iron intakes (4 mg/kg/d) on antioxidant status and iron incorporation.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Ten very-low-birth-weight infants who were enterally fed and receiving either human milk or formula were followed for 4 weeks during erythropoietin therapy; blood and urine were collected at 3 times; baseline, 2 and 4 weeks later. Once oral feeds commenced the study protocol was initiated. After baseline blood collection, a dose of Fe⁵⁷was administered. Two weeks later, a dose of Fe⁵⁸was administered as ferrous chloride to determine the effect of human-milk or formula on iron incorporation into RBCs.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Infants started the study at 35 ± 13 days. Incorporation of isotope into RBCs did not differ between formula fed for Fe⁵⁷(mean incorporation 8 ± 2.9 n = 3) compared to human-milk fed infants (8.7 ± 5 n = 7) nor for Fe⁵⁸(6 ± 2.7 n = 3 <it>vs</it>. 8.6 ± 5 n = 7). Tissue damage measured by malondialdehyde in plasma and F-2 - isoprostanes in urine, did not differ by feed or over time. Neither ability to resist oxidative stress/nor RBC superoxide dismutase differed according to feed or over time.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Data suggest that during erythropoietin therapy antioxidant defence in VLBW infants are capable of dealing with early supplemental iron during treatment with EPO.</p>