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Retention of iron by infants
S J Fomon1, S E Nelson, E E Ziegler
1Fomon Infant Nutrition Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1083, USA. samfomon@aol.com
Annual Review of Nutrition
|August 15, 2000
Summary
Iron deficiency is a common infant disorder. This review examines iron retention in infants, finding that typical assumptions about iron incorporation into red blood cells are not supported by data.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Iron deficiency is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency in infants globally.
- Understanding iron retention in infants is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.
- Existing knowledge on iron retention is advanced in adults but limited in infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review iron retention in term and preterm infants.
- To explore factors influencing infant iron retention, including postnatal age, iron status, intake, and feeding type.
- To challenge the assumption of high iron incorporation into erythrocytes in infants.
Main Methods:
- Review of metabolic balance studies.
- Analysis of (59)Fe whole-body counting studies.
- Exploration of relationships between iron retention and various physiological and dietary factors.
Main Results:
- The assumption that 80%-100% of absorbed iron is rapidly incorporated into erythrocytes in infants is not substantiated by current data.
- Iron retention is influenced by postnatal age, iron nutritional status, iron intake, and feeding type.
- Significant variability exists in iron retention patterns among infants.
Conclusions:
- Current assumptions regarding infant iron metabolism require re-evaluation.
- Further research is needed to precisely define iron retention mechanisms in infants.
- Accurate data on infant iron retention is essential for optimizing nutritional interventions and preventing iron deficiency disorders.