Iron Status and Myelination in Premature Infants

Double Blind Randomized Placebo Controlled Trial of Iron Supplementation in Premature Infants

Premature infants with iron deficiency if supplemented with more elemental iron than the routine 2mg/kg/day will have improved brain development.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Babies less than or equal to 33 weeks gestational age

Exclusion Criteria:

• Infants with cranio-facial malformations
• Torch infections
• Infants with hearing disorders
• Infants receiving erythropoietin
• Infants with subnormal vitamin E levels
• Infants with severe anemia
• Infants who are not on full feeds
• Infant with in-utero exposure to cocaine