What is the recommended dosage of iron supplementation for low birth weight and preterm infants?

The recommended dosage of iron supplementation for low birth weight and preterm infants is indeed between 2-4 mg/kg/day. This dose is based on the recognition that preterm and low birth weight infants are at a substantially higher risk for iron deficiency due to their rapid growth and lower iron reserves at birth, in comparison to full-term infants.

It is important to begin iron supplementation early because these infants have limited stores of iron, which are typically accumulated during the last trimester of pregnancy. The dosage of 2-4 mg/kg/day is sufficient to support proper hemoglobin levels and to prevent iron deficiency anemia as they grow and develop.

In contrast, lower dosages may not provide enough iron to meet the increased needs of these infants, potentially leading to deficiency, while higher dosages could pose a risk of iron overload, which can be detrimental and result in toxicity. Hence, the recommended range of 2-4 mg/kg/day carefully balances the need for adequate iron without exceeding safe limits.