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Trends in reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent values in critically ill neonates, stratified by gestational age

Journal of Perinatology volume 39, pages 1268–1274 (2019)Cite this article

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Abstract

Objective

The reticulocyte index reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent (Ret-He) was evaluated as a marker of iron status.

Study design

This is a retrospective cohort study of all infants admitted to the University of Washington Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, who received Ret-He measurements as part of routine care within the first 120 days of life.

Result

A total of 730 Ret-He measurements from 249 infants were analyzed (median gestational age at birth 32.1 weeks; 49 infants <28 weeks and 200 ≥28 weeks). Initial Ret-He measurements were lower in infants <28 weeks (28.24 vs. 33.34 pg). Ret-He values initially decreased, then slowly increased. Infants received an average of 3.9, 6.5, and 8.2 mg/kg/day of enteral iron sulfate at 30, 60, and 90 days, respectively.

Conclusion

Ret-He values showed a slow uptrend with enteral iron supplementation following an initial decrease, suggesting that neonates are able to improve their iron sufficiency status with supplementation.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge Daniel Sabath, MD, PhD, Gina Park and the University of Washington, Department of Laboratory Medicine.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neonatology, University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA, USA

    Kendell German & Sandra E. Juul

  2. Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Phuong T. Vu

  3. Department of Nutrition Therapy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Jill D. Irvine

Authors
  1. Kendell German
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  2. Phuong T. Vu
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  3. Jill D. Irvine
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  4. Sandra E. Juul
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Correspondence to Kendell German.

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German, K., Vu, P.T., Irvine, J.D. et al. Trends in reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent values in critically ill neonates, stratified by gestational age. J Perinatol 39, 1268–1274 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-019-0434-6

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