Hyperferritinemia among very-low-birthweight infants in Thailand: a prospective cohort study

J Perinatol. 2024 May;44(5):709-716. doi: 10.1038/s41372-023-01839-6. Epub 2023 Dec 7.

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the incidence of hyperferritinemia in VLBW infants, and its association with neonatal morbidity.

Study design: Prospective cohort study in a tertiary-level hospital in Bangkok, from March 2022 to January 2023. Serum ferritin (SF) was measured in VLBW infants at one month and repeated monthly for those with hyperferritinemia (SF > 300 ng/mL).

Results: Gestational age and birth weight were 29.7 ± 2.4 weeks (mean ± SD) and 1100 g (IQR, 830, 1340). Hyperferritinemia was identified in 30.1% (95% CI, 20.8-41.4). After adjustment, only packed red cell transfusion >15 mL/kg was associated with hyperferritinemia (RR 3.1; 95% CI, 1.5-6.4). All elevated SF levels returned to normal within four months. Hyperferritinemia was associated with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (RR 2.3, 95% CI, 1.0-5.4) and retinopathy of prematurity (RR 3.5, 95% CI, 1.4-8.6).

Conclusion: Hyperferritinemia is common among our VLBW infants, particularly after transfusion, and is associated with severe BPD and ROP.

MeSH terms

  • Birth Weight
  • Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / blood
  • Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / epidemiology
  • Erythrocyte Transfusion
  • Female
  • Ferritins* / blood
  • Gestational Age*
  • Humans
  • Hyperferritinemia* / blood
  • Hyperferritinemia* / epidemiology
  • Incidence
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature
  • Infant, Very Low Birth Weight* / blood
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Retinopathy of Prematurity* / blood
  • Retinopathy of Prematurity* / epidemiology
  • Thailand / epidemiology

Substances

  • Ferritins