Iron supplementation in preterm infants: A study comparing the effect and tolerance of a Fe2+ and a nonionic FeIII compound

The more widely used divalent forms of iron (Fe2+) supplementation often le ad to gastrointestinal symptoms in preterm infants although little is known about the use of nonionic trivalent iron preparations (FeIII) in these pat ients. it is especially under this nonionic form that dietary iron is avail able. For this reason, a randomized controlled study was undertaken to comp are the efficacy and the extent of possible side effects in true groups of preterm infants. In one group, the elemental iron was given in the Fe2+ for m, while the other group received a nonionic trivalent iron (FeIII) complex ed with polysaccharides of low molecular weight. Both groups received 7.5 m g elemental iron daily. Measured parameters in the two study groups did not differ significantly throughout the study period of 14 weeks. Both forms o f iron supplementation were well tolerated. However, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation occurred slightly more often in the group receiving iron supp lementation in the Fe2+ form without reaching statistical difference. The a uthors found a nonionic trivalent polysaccharide-iron complex given as iron supplementation as effective as the generally more favored ferrous sulphat e. Since iron therapy is mandatory in the preterm infant, the use of trival ent iron complexes can be considered as a good alternative. (C)2000 the Ame rican College of Clinical Pharmacology.