Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39914883›Full record

Observational studyBMJ paediatrics open2025

Early plasma ferritin concentrations are not associated with time to red cell transfusions in extremely and very preterm neonates: a prospective single-site observational study.

Daniel O'Reilly, Áine Fox, Lauren Murphy, Claire Murphy, Anna-Claire Glynn, Grainne Kelleher, Fionnuala Ni Ainle, Naomi McCallion

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in BMJ paediatrics open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Daniel O'ReillyDepartment of Neonatology, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland danieloreilly@rcsi.ie.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8575-2353
Áine FoxDepartment of Neonatology, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0851-5378
Lauren MurphyDepartment of Neonatology, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Claire MurphyDepartment of Neonatology, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9611-8606
Anna-Claire GlynnNutrition and Dietetics, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Grainne KelleherDepartment of Biochemistry, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Fionnuala Ni AinleHaematology, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Naomi McCallionDepartment of Neonatology, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.

Funding

Wellcome Trust
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo assess the relationship between plasma ferritin concentrations and (1) antenatal factors and (2) requirement for red cell transfusion. STUDY

designThis single-site prospective study recruited infants in the first week of life who were born <32 weeks' corrected gestational age and did not receive a red cell transfusion prior to sampling. Ferritin concentrations were assessed on discard plasma taken as part of routine neonatal investigations in the first week of life (median day of life=3, IQR 2-5 days). Reasons for delivery, placental histology and demographics were recorded.

resultsPlasma ferritin concentrations were not significantly associated with birth weight or gestational age in this cohort of extremely/very preterm neonates (n=114: n=26, <28 weeks' corrected gestational age; n=88, 28-32 weeks' corrected gestational age). Neonates exposed to chorioamnionitis had an increased ferritin concentration versus those who were not. Neonates exposed to pre-eclampsia had a significantly lower ferritin concentration than those who were not. Early ferritin concentration was not associated with time to transfusion in a time to event analysis.

conclusionsPlasma ferritin concentrations in very/extremely preterm neonates are variable and associated with the intrauterine environment. Ferritin concentration was not predictive of time to transfusion in this cohort and was not significantly different at smaller birth weight or earlier gestation. This is important for considerations of iron storage in very preterm neonates and its developmental consequences.

Indexed as

Erythrocyte TransfusionFerritinsInfant, Extremely PrematureBirth WeightFemaleGestational AgeHumansInfant, NewbornInfant, PrematureMalePregnancyProspective StudiesTime FactorsFerritinsNeonatology

Identifiers

PMID39914883
PMCPMC11804198

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.