Effects of three different iron supplementations in term healthy infants after 5 months of life

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Nutritional Science
• Hematology

Background:

• Iron deficiency is a prevalent nutritional deficiency in infants.
• Breastfed infants are at risk due to low iron content in breast milk.
• Adequate iron supplementation is critical for infant development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of varying iron supplementation doses and schedules on the hematological status of breastfed infants.
• To compare the efficacy of daily versus intermittent iron administration.
• To determine optimal iron dosing strategies for preventing iron deficiency in infants.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 113 breastfed infants aged 5 months.
• Four groups received different iron supplementation regimens: 1 mg/kg/day, 2 mg/kg/day, 2 mg/kg every other day, and placebo.
• Hematological parameters, including hemoglobin and ferritin levels, were assessed.

Main Results:

• Infants receiving 2 mg/kg/day iron showed higher hematological values (excluding hemoglobin) compared to other groups.
• Significantly higher ferritin levels were observed in the 2 mg/kg every other day group versus the 1 mg/kg/day group.
• Intermittent iron supplementation (2 mg/kg every other day) demonstrated superior efficacy in improving iron status.

Conclusions:

• Intermittent iron supplementation may be more effective than daily regimens at equivalent dosages for improving infant iron status.
• The findings suggest a potential benefit of alternate-day iron administration in breastfed infants.
• Optimized iron supplementation strategies are essential for addressing infant iron deficiency.