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Global look at nutritional and functional iron deficiency in infancy
1Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland.
Hematology. American Society of Hematology. Education Program
|December 4, 2020
Summary
Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) in infants can impair development and immunity. New strategies are needed to improve iron absorption and mitigate gut issues in low-resource settings.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Immunology
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Global Health
Background:
- Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) is prevalent in infants in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), potentially hindering cognitive and immune development.
- Current oral iron supplements have low absorption rates (<10%) and can negatively impact the infant gut microbiome, increasing pathogens and inflammation.
Observation:
- Unabsorbed iron can exacerbate gut issues like diarrhea and inflammation in infants.
- IDA at the time of vaccination may reduce vaccine immunogenicity, impacting protection against diseases like diphtheria, pertussis, pneumococcus, and measles.
Findings:
- Prebiotics like galacto-oligosaccharides and apo-lactoferrin show promise in enhancing iron absorption and reducing adverse gut effects.
- Supplementing iron in Kenyan infants during measles vaccination improved immune responses, including increased measles-specific IgG, seroconversion, and IgG avidity.
Implications:
- Optimizing iron absorption and mitigating gut side effects are crucial for effective IDA interventions in infants.
- Preventing IDA could significantly improve infant immune function and vaccine efficacy, reducing the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases in LMICs.
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