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Sex differences in iron status during infancy.

Magnus Domellöf1, Bo Lönnerdal, Kathryn G Dewey

  • 1Department of Clinical Sciences, Pediatrics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.

Pediatrics
|September 3, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Infant boys show significantly poorer iron status than girls, with higher risks of iron deficiency anemia. These sex differences in iron indicators may be partly genetic or due to increased iron deficiency in boys.

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Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Iron Metabolism
  • Infant Health

Background:

  • Common assumption of no sex difference in infant iron status lacks empirical support.
  • Previous research has not adequately addressed sex-based variations in infant iron indicators.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate sex differences in multiple iron status measures during infancy.
  • To compare iron status indicators between male and female infants from 4 to 9 months of age.

Main Methods:

  • Randomized controlled trial involving 263 breastfed infants (Swedish and Honduran).
  • Infants received iron supplements or placebo from 4 to 9 months.
  • Analysis of hemoglobin (Hb), mean cell volume (MCV), zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP), plasma ferritin, and transferrin receptors (TfR) at 4, 6, and 9 months.

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Main Results:

  • Boys consistently exhibited lower Hb, MCV, and ferritin, and higher ZPP and TfR compared to girls at all time points.
  • At 9 months, boys had a tenfold increased risk of iron deficiency anemia.
  • Significant sex differences in MCV and ZPP persisted after adjusting for confounders; ferritin differences remained significant in Swedish infants.

Conclusions:

  • Substantial sex differences in iron status indicators are evident during infancy.
  • These disparities suggest potential genetic influences and a higher incidence of true iron deficiency in infant boys.
  • Findings highlight the need to consider sex in infant iron status assessment and management.