Iron supplementation is recommended for which group of infants after 2 weeks of life?

Iron supplementation is recommended specifically for low birth weight and preterm infants after 2 weeks of life due to their higher risk of iron deficiency. This group often has lower iron stores at birth because they were born earlier than term infants, thus they may not have accumulated enough iron in utero. Additionally, these infants are at increased risk for various complications that can arise from iron deficiency, including anemia, which can impact their growth and development.

In contrast, full-term healthy infants typically have adequate iron stores if they are appropriately breastfed or formula-fed, especially during the first few months of life. Breast milk contains iron, and while it is in a lower concentration than in formula, it is well-absorbed. Infants who are on iron-fortified formulas generally do not require additional iron supplementation, as these formulas are designed to meet their nutritional needs.

The recommendation for iron supplementation focuses on those at higher risk of deficiency, making it essential to tailor care to the specific needs of low birth weight and preterm infants. Thus, the need for iron supplementation is not universal across all infants.