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Iron status in the first year of life
R E Morton1, A Nysenbaum, K Price
1Department of Paediatrics, London Hospital, England.
Insights
Infant iron status at birth does not correlate with maternal iron levels. However, early iron stores impact later iron status, with dietary factors like cow's milk and solids significantly influencing iron deficiency anemia in babies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Hematology
- Public Health
Background:
- Maternal and infant iron status are critical for healthy development.
- Inner-city populations may face unique nutritional challenges.
- Understanding factors influencing infant iron stores is essential for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between maternal and infant iron status at birth.
- To examine the impact of birth iron stores on iron status during the first year of life.
- To identify dietary and other factors associated with infant iron deficiency.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of maternal and infant iron status (hemoglobin and ferritin).
- Measurements taken at birth, 6 months, and 1 year.
- Analysis of dietary intake, including cow's milk and solid foods, and weight gain.
Main Results:
- No correlation found between maternal and infant iron status at birth.
- Infant iron stores at birth (cord ferritin) predicted iron status at 6 months and 1 year.
- Early introduction of cow's milk and high intake were linked to iron deficiency; inadequate solids and rapid weight gain also contributed.
- By 1 year, 49% of infants had low iron stores, with 20% having iron deficiency anemia.
Conclusions:
- Infant iron status is primarily determined by initial iron stores, not maternal status at birth.
- Dietary practices, particularly cow's milk consumption and solid food introduction, significantly impact infant iron status.
- Simple dietary modifications can improve infant iron levels and prevent iron deficiency anemia.
Abstract:
The iron status of babies of different race born at term to mothers in an inner city area was studied at birth and during the first year of life and related to maternal iron status. Haemoglobin and ferritin were measured in the mother at term (n = 81) and in the baby in cord blood (n = 81), at 6 months (n = 55), and at 1 year (n = 51). No relationship was found between the iron status of mothers and their babies at birth. However, iron stores at birth did affect later iron status, cord ferritin being significantly related to ferritin at 6 months (r = 0.42, p less than 0.01) and 1 year (r = 0.55, p less than 0.01) but not to haemoglobin at these ages. No relationship was found between haemoglobin iron at birth and subsequent iron status. Introduction of full cow's milk before the age of 6 months was associated with iron deficiency at this age and at 1 year. By the age of 1 year, iron deficiency was also associated with feeding greater than 900 ml whole cow's milk a day, inadequate feeding with solids, and higher weight gain. No stool parasites were found at the age of 1 year, and the presence of occult blood in stools did not significantly affect iron status at this age. At 1 year of age, 49% of these infants had low iron stores, including 20% with iron deficiency anaemia. Considerable improvement could result from simple changes in dietary practices.