Trial Comparing Iron Supplementation Versus Routine Iron Intake in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Randomized Trial Comparing Iron Supplementation Versus Routine Iron Intake in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

In preterm infants with birth weights less than 1500 grams, does iron supplementation with 2mg/kg/day in addition to routine feeding with routine iron-fortified milk (formula or fortified mother's milk), as compared to routine iron fortified milk, increase hematocrit at 36 weeks adjusted postmenstrual age (or at discharge if sooner)?

Fortified mother's milk or fortified formula is routine practice in neonatal units and is not an intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Birth weight <1500 grams
• Tolerating iron fortified preterm formula or fortified human milk at 120cc/kg/day by 8 weeks of age
• </= 32 weeks adjusted post-menstrual age at the time of enrollment

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cyanotic heart disease
• Bowel resection prior to enrollment