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Iron supplements reduce erythrocyte copper-zinc superoxide dismutase activity in term, breastfed infants

Magnus Domellöf1, Kathryn G Dewey, Roberta J Cohen

  • 1Department of Clinical Sciences, Pediatrics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. magnus.domellof@pediatri.umu.se

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|November 24, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Iron supplements may negatively affect copper status in infants. Studies show iron supplementation reduced copper/zinc-dependent superoxide dismutase activity, indicating potential health implications.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Mineral Metabolism
  • Infant Health

Background:

  • Copper is essential for infant development.
  • Iron supplementation is common for infants.
  • Potential interactions between iron and copper require investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if iron supplements impact copper status in infants.
  • To assess the effect of iron supplementation timing on copper levels.

Main Methods:

  • Randomized controlled trial with 214 infants.
  • Iron or placebo supplementation from 4-9 months.
  • Plasma copper and CuZn-SOD activity measured at 4, 6, and 9 months.

Main Results:

  • Plasma copper increased with age.
  • Honduran infants had higher copper status than Swedish infants.
  • Iron supplementation from 4-9 months reduced CuZn-SOD activity.

Conclusions:

  • Iron supplementation may negatively affect copper status.
  • Differences in copper status observed between infant groups.
  • Further research is needed to understand clinical implications.
Abstract

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