Journal
VOX SANGUINIS
Volume 105, Issue 4, Pages 328-333Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1111/vox.12061
Keywords
cholestasis; haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn; iron overload; iron status; liver enzymes
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Background and ObjectivesFerritin levels are often highly elevated at birth in neonates with alloimmune haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). Data on ferritin levels in these infants in the first 3months of life are lacking. Objective of this study was to examine the course of iron status and incidence of iron deficiency and overload in neonates with alloimmune HDFN up to 3months of age. Secondary objective was to analyse bilirubin levels, liver enzymes and red-blood-cell indices in the same time period and the association with intrauterine transfusion (IUT). Materials and MethodsObservational study of neonates with alloimmune HDFN admitted to our centre between November 2010 and March 2012. Data on iron status, bilirubin levels, liver enzymes and red-blood-cell indices up to 3months of age were routinely collected and compared between neonates treated with and without IUT. ResultsThirty-five infants with alloimmune HDFN were included. Iron overload occurred in 70% of neonates at birth and in 50% and 18% at the age of 1 and 3months, respectively. No cases of iron deficiency at birth and only one case of iron deficiency at 3months of age were found. No infants received iron therapy. Infants who received IUT had a significantly lower haemoglobin level and reticulocyte count and higher ferritin level at birth. ConclusionThe vast majority of neonates with alloimmune HDFN have iron overload at birth. Incidence of iron overload gradually decreases within the first 3months without iron supplementation.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available