HFE gene mutation and transferrin saturation in very low birthweight infants
- aDepartment of Neonatology Charité Virchow Hospital Humboldt University D-13353 Berlin Germany, bDepartment of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiochemistry, cDepartment of General Paediatrics
- Dr Heiko Witt. Email: heiko.witt{at}charite.de
- Accepted 5 May 1999
Abstract
AIM To determine if there is an association between high transferrin saturation and the C282Y HFE gene mutation in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants.
METHODS One hundred and forty three VLBW infants receiving recombinant erythropoietin and 3 to 9 mg/kg/day of enteral iron were studied. Genomic DNA was extracted from filter paper cards. The C282Y mutation was determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.
RESULTS Six infants were heterozygous for the mutation; none was homozygous. Ten infants had a transferrin saturation above 80% at least once. No infant was positive for both transferrin saturation above 80% and the mutation.
CONCLUSIONS The data strongly suggest that there is no association between high transferrin saturation and the HFE gene mutation in VLBW infants during the first weeks of life.
