The effect of cobalt and iron salts on the anaemia of prematurity

Abstract

The experimental literature of cobalt as a haemo- poietic agent is briefly summarized, and a more detailed review is given of its use in the treatment of anaemia in man. One hundred and twenty-six premature infants were divided into four groups. Eighty-three were followed up six months or longer. Group I acted as controls. Group II received cobalt sulphate, 10 mg. daily, from one to 12 days. Group III received cobalt sulphate, 20 mg. daily, from four to eight weeks. Group IV received cobalt sulphate, 20 mg., and ferrous sulphate, gr. A\ daily, from four to eight weeks. Cobalt appears to be of value in the prevention of the early anaemia of premature infants, and if iron is administered simultaneously the risk of an iron deficiency anaemia developing from the fourth month onwards is considerably reduced. Cobalt has no toxic effects and no unfavourable influence on the weight gain in the dosage employed. The mode of action is uncertain but two possibilities seem likely: (1) a direct action on the erythropoietic tissue in the marrow; (2) a possible catalytic action enabling available iron to be more readily utilized for haemoblobin synthesis.