Emilia Parodi1, Anna Ferrero2, Barbara Perrone3, Paola Saracco4, Maria Teresa Giraudo5, Daniela Regoli6. 1. Neonatology Unit, Ordine Mauriziano Hospital, Torino, Italy; Department of Pediatric and Public Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy. Electronic address: emilia.parodi@unito.it. 2. Department of Pediatric and Public Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy. Electronic address: anna.ferrero92@edu.unito.it. 3. Division of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Salesi Children's Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera, Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Ancona, Italy. Electronic address: perry.lupo@libero.it. 4. Department of Pediatric and Public Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy; Pediatric Hematology Unit, "Città della Salute e della Scienza Hospital", Torino, Italy. Electronic address: paola.saracco@unito.it. 5. Department of Mathematics "G Peano", University of Torino, Torino, Italy. Electronic address: mariateresa.giraudo@unito.it. 6. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, "Sapienza" University of Roma, Roma, Italy. Electronic address: dani.regoli@virgilio.it.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Preterm babies are at high risk of iron deficiency. METHODS: We investigated current practices regarding iron prophylaxis in preterm and low birth weight newborns among Local Neonatal Units (LNUs, n = 74) and Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs, n = 20) of three Italian Regions (Piemonte, Marche and Lazio). RESULTS: Birth weight is considered an indicative parameter in only 64% of LNUs and 71% of NICUs, with a significant difference between LNUs in the three regions (86%, 20% and 62%, respectively; p < 0.001). Iron is recommended to infants with a birth weight between 2000 and 2500 g in only 25% of LNUs and 21% of NICUs, and to late-preterm (gestational age between 34 and 37 weeks) in a minority of Units (26% of LNUs, 7% of NICUs). CONCLUSIONS: Our pilot survey documents a great variability and the urgent need to standardize practices according to literature recommendations.
BACKGROUND: Preterm babies are at high risk of iron deficiency. METHODS: We investigated current practices regarding iron prophylaxis in preterm and low birth weight newborns among Local Neonatal Units (LNUs, n = 74) and Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs, n = 20) of three Italian Regions (Piemonte, Marche and Lazio). RESULTS: Birth weight is considered an indicative parameter in only 64% of LNUs and 71% of NICUs, with a significant difference between LNUs in the three regions (86%, 20% and 62%, respectively; p < 0.001). Iron is recommended to infants with a birth weight between 2000 and 2500 g in only 25% of LNUs and 21% of NICUs, and to late-preterm (gestational age between 34 and 37 weeks) in a minority of Units (26% of LNUs, 7% of NICUs). CONCLUSIONS: Our pilot survey documents a great variability and the urgent need to standardize practices according to literature recommendations.
Authors: R Luciano; D M Romeo; G Mancini; S Sivo; C Dolci; C Velli; A Turriziani Colonna; G Vento; C Romagnoli; E M Mercuri Journal: Eur J Pediatr Date: 2021-07-21 Impact factor: 3.183