172 Effects of Iron Supplementation on Morbidity, Growth, and Auditory Brainstem Response in Marginally Lbw Infants

Background and aims: Low birth weight infants are at risk for iron deficiency, which is associated with poor neurodevelopment. Iron supplements may have adverse effects on growth and morbidity in iron replete infants. Effects of iron supplementation have not been studied in marginally low birth weight infants (MLBW, 2000-2500g). Our objective was to study the effects of iron supplements on auditory brainstem response (ABR), growth and morbidity in MLBW infants. Methods: In a randomized, controlled trial, 285 healthy MLBW infants received 0, 1, or 2 mg iron/kg/day of iron supplements from six weeks to six months of age. Morbidity was monitored by a daily calendar. Anthropometric data was collected at six weeks and six months. Wave V latency and central conduction time (CCT) were measured using ABR at six months, as markers of neurodevelopment. Results: There were no significant differences between groups in growth, longitudinal prevalence of morbidity or ABR wave V latencies. CCT, which was only obtained in 126 infants, was significantly higher in the 2 mg group (4.62 ms) than in the placebo group (4.46 ms). However, there were no significant correlations between CCT and iron intake or any of the iron status variables, suggesting that group differences in CCT were not caused by iron. Conclusions: We conclude that there were no short term functional effects of iron supplementation in this risk group with regard to morbidity, growth or ABR wave V latencies up to six months of age. Long-term health and neurodevelopment will be followed in these children.