If a baby taken BL transfusion in nicu , when we start with him fe therapy

We start Fe supplementation at 2-4 weeks of postnatal age, and when the baby is feed predominantly enterally.

 

Our guidelines regardig blood transfusions and Fe: if the baby has recieved several transfusions we check S-Ferritin. If >350 mikrogram/L we follow S-Ferritin until it has decreased below 350 mikrogram/L and start supplementation then.

We usually start iron therapy with erythropoietin during the second week of postnatal life. By this time, erythropoiesis will be responsive to erythropoietin with iron as a substrate. Also, any possible infection should have been treated.

In our unit we start epogen once an infant is on full enteral feedings and a multivitamin as it works optimally when the baby has an iron source.