Assessment of iron status and red cell parameters in healthy full term small for gestational age neonates at birth

Abstract

Background:Hematological values of the newborn babies vary according to the gestational age and intrauterine growth.Objective:The objective of this study is to compare the iron status and red cell parameters in healthy term small for gestational age (SGA) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) neonates.Materials and Methods:A prospective hospital based study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching institution of central India. 50 AGA and 50 SGA neonates were included in the study and serum iron, serum ferritin and red cell parameters (hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC) count and hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), means corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and red cell distribution width (RDW]) were estimated within 24 h of birth.Results:Serum ferritin levels were significantly low in SGA neonates as compared with AGA (mean 103 vs. 158 ng/ml; P=0.001) neonates. In SGA neonates, mean values of Hb (P=0.001), RBC count (P=0.018) and Hct (P=0.005) were significantly higher than in AGA neonates. Higher values of RDW and MCV were seen in SGA group in comparison with AGA neonates. Similarly, lower values of serum iron, MCH and MCHC were seen in the same group; although, these were non-significant.Conclusion:Despite higher Hb content, SGA neonates are deficient in iron store at birth as indicated by lower serum ferritin levels in them and early iron supplementation should be considered in them.

Reduced Red Blood Cell Count Predicts Poor Survival After Surgery in Patients With Primary Liver Cancer

“… 8 , 9 Red blood cell (RBC) count is one of the erythrocyte parameters, and a very limited number of studies have reported that it can be used as a screening index or a treatment effect predictor of certain diseases. 10 , 11 One report has suggested the relation of elevated red cell distribution width with advanced liver fibrosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. 12 Unfortunately, no report has connected the alteration of RBC count with human cancers, and the relation between reduced RBC count and poor liver function has never been investigated.…”

Hepcidin, Serum Iron, and Transferrin Saturation in Full-Term and Premature Infants during the First Month of Life: A State-of-the-Art Review of Existing Evidence in Humans

“… Serum iron over the neonatal period. (A) Full-term neonates: α shows the weighted mean (95% CI) for all studies seen in Supplemental Figure 3A; β, δ, and η show Prentice et al ( 99 ); χ shows Patidar et al ( 108 ); ε shows Balogh et al ( 94 ); ϕ shows Szabó et al ( 109 ); γ shows Andersson et al ( 103 ); ι shows Milman et al ( 39 ); φ shows Tsuzuki et al ( 110 ); κ shows Tiker et al ( 111 ); λ shows Yapakçı et al ( 112 ); μ shows Ozkiraz et al ( 113 ); ν shows Yamada and Leone ( 105 ). (B) Preterm neonates: α shows the weighted mean (95% CI) for all studies seen in Supplemental Figure 3B; β shows Lackmann et al ( 106 ); χ and δ show Tiker et al ( 111 ); ε shows Tsuzuki et al ( 110 ); ϕ shows Schiza et al ( 114 ); γ shows Yapakçı et al ( 112 ); η shows Celik et al ( 107 ); ι shows Yamada and Leone ( 105 ).…”

Early versus delayed cord clamping in small for gestational age infants and iron stores at 3 months of age - a randomized controlled trial

“…The burden of SGA infants in India is high with nearly 47% of neonates being SGA [ 19 ]. Because of low iron stores at birth; these neonates are at increased risk of developing iron deficiency and anemia later [ 8 , 9 ]. DCC is a well-established strategy to decrease the burden of iron deficiency anemia in infancy.…”

“…Small for gestational age (SGA) infants are those with birth weight less than 10th centile for the gestation and sex. Studies have shown that these infants have low iron stores at birth and are at risk of developing iron deficiency later [ 8 , 9 ]. This is due to placental vascular insufficiency mediated impairment in iron transport and increased utilization of iron to meet chronic hypoxia induced erythropoiesis.…”