Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes
08:45

Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes

Published on: May 10, 2022

Iron requirements, absorption and metabolism in infancy and childhood

Magnus Domellöf1

  • 1Department of Clinical Sciences, Pediatrics, Umeå University, SE-90185 Umeå, Sweden. magnus.domellof@pediatri.umu.se

Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care
|April 7, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Iron deficiency is a public health concern in children. While iron supplements are common, research is needed to determine benefits and risks, especially in vulnerable populations.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Molecular Metabolism
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Iron deficiency is a major public health issue in young children, necessitating iron supplementation.
  • Recent advancements have improved understanding of iron absorption and metabolism at a molecular level.
  • Concerns exist regarding potential adverse effects of iron supplements in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of iron metabolism and supplementation in young children.
  • To evaluate the evidence for benefits and risks of iron supplements in this age group.
  • To highlight areas for future research in pediatric iron nutrition.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on studies published between 2005-2006.
  • Analysis of recent discoveries in iron metabolism, including hepcidin and lactoferrin receptor.
  • Examination of studies on neurodevelopmental outcomes and risks associated with iron supplementation.

Main Results:

  • New molecules like hepcidin are crucial for iron metabolism in children.
  • Iron deficiency is linked to impaired neurodevelopment, but supplement efficacy remains unclear.
  • Oral iron supplements may increase infection risk in children in malarious regions, particularly if iron-replete.

Conclusions:

  • Further research is essential to identify children who benefit from iron supplementation and to define optimal iron requirements.
  • Clinical trials should incorporate functional outcomes to assess the true impact of interventions.
  • Enhanced knowledge of molecular mechanisms and nutrient interactions can drive new diagnostic and preventive strategies.
Abstract

More Related Videos

The Caco-2 Cell Bioassay for Measurement of Food Iron Bioavailability06:34

The Caco-2 Cell Bioassay for Measurement of Food Iron Bioavailability

Published on: April 28, 2022

Atomic Absorbance Spectroscopy to Measure Intracellular Zinc Pools in Mammalian Cells13:04

Atomic Absorbance Spectroscopy to Measure Intracellular Zinc Pools in Mammalian Cells

Published on: May 16, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
Microbes and Other Elemental Cycles01:24

Microbes and Other Elemental Cycles

Microbial activity plays a pivotal role in the biogeochemical cycling of iron and manganese, especially at the redox gradients characteristic of stratified aquatic environments. These cycles are driven by microbial transformations between oxidized and reduced forms of the metals, allowing organisms to exploit them for metabolic energy and structural purposes.Iron Cycling Across Redox GradientsIn neutral, oxygen-rich surface waters, iron is predominantly found in its oxidized, insoluble ferric...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses a challenge in...
Mineral, Vitamin and Water Absorption01:27

Mineral, Vitamin and Water Absorption

Electrolytes are essential minerals and ions primarily obtained from the diet and absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. Most electrolytes are absorbed in the small intestine. While the absorption of iron and calcium primarily occurs in the duodenum, calcium is also absorbed in the jejunum and ileum. In these regions, passive diffusion contributes to its absorption alongside active transport mechanisms in the duodenum. These ions can exit the enterocytes through specialized active...
Minerals01:26

Minerals

Minerals are essential nutrients that the human body needs in small amounts to work properly. They play a vital role in many bodily functions, such as building strong bones and transmitting nerve impulses. Some minerals are needed for hormone production or to maintain a normal heartbeat. Major minerals include calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, sodium, chlorine, and magnesium, while trace minerals include iron, manganese, copper, iodine, zinc, cobalt, fluoride, and selenium.
Sulfur Assimilation01:20

Sulfur Assimilation

Sulfur is an essential element in biological systems, contributing to synthesizing key biomolecules, including amino acids such as cysteine and methionine, and cofactors such as coenzyme A and biotin. Microorganisms primarily assimilate sulfur as sulfate (SO₄²⁻) from the environment, which must undergo a series of biochemical transformations before it can be incorporated into cellular components. As sulfate is highly oxidized, it must undergo assimilatory sulfate reduction to become...