Iron is important for a remarkable array of essential functions during brain development, and it needs to be provided in adequate amounts, especially to preterm infants. In this review article, we provide an overview of
iron metabolism and homeostasis at the cellular level, as well as its regulation at the mRNA translation level, and we emphasize the importance of
iron for brain development in fetal and early life in preterm infants. We also review the risk factors for disrupted
iron metabolism that lead to high risk of developing
iron deficiency and subsequent adverse effects on neurodevelopment in preterm infants. At the other extreme,
iron overload, which is usually caused by excess
iron supplementation in
iron-replete preterm infants, might negatively impact brain development or even induce
brain injury. Maintaining the balance of
iron during the fetal and neonatal periods is important, and thus
iron status should be monitored routinely and evaluated thoroughly during the neonatal period or before discharge of preterm infants so that
iron supplementation can be individualized.