Liposomal Iron Versus Ferrous Iron Supplementation for Early Prophylaxis of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Preterm Neonates

Liposomal Iron Versus Ferrous Iron Supplementation for Early Prophylaxis of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Preterm Neonates

Iron prophylaxis will be initiated at age of 2-3 weeks at a dose of 3mg/kg/day. Standard care group: will receive ferrous iron (Enrich oral drops(50mg/ml), one drop per kilogram of body weight daily.

Daily Liposomal group iron: will receive liposomal iron (Novofer (8mg/ml)) every day,seven drops per kilogram.

Every other day liposomal iron group: will receive liposomal iron (Novofer (8mg/ml)) every other day ,seven drops per kilogram .

Iron prophylaxis will be initiated at age of 2-3 weeks at a dose of 3mg/kg/day. Standard care group: will receive ferrous iron (Enrich oral drops(50mg/ml), one drop per kilogram of body weight daily.

Daily Liposomal group iron: will receive liposomal iron (Novofer (8mg/ml)) every day,seven drops per kilogram.

Every other day liposomal iron group: will receive liposomal iron (Novofer (8mg/ml)) every other day ,seven drops per kilogram .

6. Administration of the iron thrapy:

1. The bottle should be shaken well for at least 30 secend .
2. The dose is better to administrated in the morning at least one hour before fed.

4-The bottle should Stored in refrigerator for one month after opening of the bottles.

7.Follow up of the patient:

• Follow up of the patient will be done by phone calls every week .Drug compliance and monitoring of side effect will be recorded.
• All patients Will underwent clinical assessment every 4weeks at the outpatient neonatology clinic for 12 weeks ( total of 3 visits).

At each follow up visit:

Anthropometric measurements: body weight, length and occipito-frontal circumference will be measured and plotted on the Fenton growth chart for preterm neonates.

Compliance to the drug will be assessed and recorded Gastrointestinal side effect (e.g, vomiting, constipation, abdominal distension) will monitored weekly.

Laboratory investigation will be conducted as previously outlined.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Preterm neonates Gestational age ≤ 34 weeks who can tolerate oral feeding.
• Brith weight <2500gm.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Major Surgical procedures.
• Major Chromosomal anomaly.
• Inborn error of metabolism.
• GIT anomalies.
• Neonatal sepsis.