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Iron intake and iron status in breastfed infants during the first year of life

Katharina Dube1, Jana Schwartz, Manfred J Mueller

  • 1Research Institute of Child Nutrition, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms University of Bonn, Heinstueck 11, D-44225 Dortmund, Germany.

Clinical Nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland)
|July 15, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Fully breastfed infants are at risk for iron deficiency. Early iron supplementation via complementary foods is recommended to prevent iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in infants.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Infant Health
  • Iron Metabolism

Background:

  • Breast milk is low in iron, potentially increasing risk for iron deficiency in exclusively breastfed infants.
  • This study examines iron status in breastfed infants compared to formula-fed infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess iron status indicators in fully breastfed infants compared to formula-fed infants.
  • To determine the prevalence of iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in these groups during infancy.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of a randomized controlled trial comparing breastfed (BM) and formula-fed (F) infants.
  • Iron intake and iron status indicators analyzed at 4, 7, and 10 months of age.

Main Results:

  • Breastfed infants had low iron intake and higher rates of ID (21%) and IDA (up to 6%) by 7-10 months.
  • Formula-fed infants maintained adequate iron status throughout the study period.
  • No infant developed iron deficiency anemia at 4 months.

Conclusions:

  • Fully breastfed infants are at significant risk for iron deficiency and anemia later in infancy.
  • Early introduction of iron-rich complementary foods (4-6 months) is crucial for preventing ID and IDA.
Abstract

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