Serum Ferritin – The Role of Birthweight: A Comparative Study

Aims: To determine the serum ferritin levels amongst low birth weight neonates and to correlate it with different categories of weight. role in predicting changes levels.
 Methodology: This was a prospective comparative cross sectional study which carried out at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit University Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, between June December 2014. The included 140 newborns all weights delivered UNTH. These were categorized into extremely (ELBW), very (VLBW), (LBW) normal macrosomic. Babies C-reactive protein > 10mg/dl, who intra-uterine growth restricted, whose mothers had conditions associated iron stores excluded from study. Anthropometric measurements done for subjects. Serum measured this correlated gestational age.
 Results: ranged 20.6 296.4µg/l. Ferritin showed steady increase relation (F = 42.453, P < .001). There significant association ELBW babies 98 times more likely have than (P .001, OR 97.600, 95% C.I 10.083 – 944.711). VLBW LBW 0.070, 0.017 0.291)(P .006, 0.201, 0.064 0.635). Only birthweight positive predictor .024).
 Conclusion: new-borns Birth is levels.