Prevention and Management of Iron Deficiency in Preterm Infants

Iron deficiency (ID) is the most common micronutrient deficiency worldwide. In Canada, ID is recognized as a “Public Health Problem” in infants and young children. Preterm infants are at high risk of developing ID due to lower iron stores at birth, rapid post-natal growth, frequent blood sampling and inadequate iron intake.

The IWK has developed a practice guideline that will assist with the management of iron deficiency in preterm infants. This resource is intended to be a provincial clinical resource supporting care provider practice across the province of Nova Scotia - Expert Consensus Statement on Prevention and Management of Iron Deficiency in Preterm Infants for Practitioners in the Maritimes. The resource is posted here and is also available on the IWK Health website

Date Revised: 
November, 2022