Darbe Plus IV Iron to Decrease Transfusions While Maintaining Iron Sufficiency in Preterm Infants

Infants in groups 2-5 will be started on Darbe 10 mcg/kg/week between 72 and 84 hours after birth.

Infants in groups 2 and 3 will be given LMW-ID IV, 10 or 20 mg/kg/dose. They will be re-dosed if ferritin falls below 76. Iron parameters will be checked biweekly.

Infants in groups 4 and 5 will be given FMX IV, 10 or 20 mg/kg/dose. They will be re-dosed if ferritin falls below 76. Iron parameters will be checked biweekly.

Infants in group 1 will receive standard care in the UW NICU with iron started on day 7 if tolerating 100 mL/kg/day enteral feeding. Iron supplements are adjusted every 2 weeks based on ferritin, zinc protoporphyrin to heme ratio and complete blood count (CBC).