Iron supplements for preterm or low birthweight infants

SUMMARY A survey of 57 neonatal units in the United Kingdom showed considerable disparity in iron supplementation policies for preterm low birth-weight infants. The 'ideal ' intake of iron for low birthweight infants has not been established. To determine the variation in policies for iron supplementation we investigated current practices for supplementation of low birth-weight infants in some neonatal units in the United Kingdom. Methods One neonatal unit from each regional health author-ity and all units attached to medical schools in the United Kingdom ' were questioned about their policy on iron supplementation for low birthweight and preterm infants. Results Fifty seven units (80 % of those approached) responded: 31 from teaching hospitals and 26 from district general hospitals. Four units, all from teaching hospitals, gave no routine supplements, otherwise there were no differences in the policies of teaching and non-teaching centres. SELECTION In 28 units gestational age was the criterion for sup-plementation: 22 units supplemented infants of less than 36 weeks ' gestation, four selected those below 35 weeks, and one each used gestations of less than 34 weeks and 32 weeks. Thirteen units used birth weight as the criterion, with a variety of thresholds from 1500 g to 2500 g. Eleven units used a combina-tion of these age and weight criteria. One unit sup-plemented every infant admitted to it