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[Iron deficiency in infants. Study of risk factors]
Insights
Iron deficiency affects 12% of infants, with 40% showing borderline deficiency. Lower iron intake and rapid growth contribute to this common childhood nutritional issue.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Iron deficiency is a prevalent nutritional concern in infants.
- Early detection and intervention are crucial for child development.
- Understanding risk factors in diverse populations is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of iron deficiency in Parisian infants.
- To identify dietary and demographic risk factors associated with iron deficiency.
- To explore the relationship between iron status and growth parameters.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 207 infants aged 10 months in Paris.
- Biochemical assessments included hemoglobin, ferritin, and siderophilin saturation.
- Dietary intake, including milk consumption and iron supplementation, was recorded.
Main Results:
- 12% of infants were anemic, 21% had low ferritin, and 40% showed borderline iron deficiency.
- Immigrant infants had lower overall iron intake due to consumption of non-supplemented whole cow's milk.
- Positive correlation between iron-supplemented formula intake and improved iron status markers.
- Iron deficiency was more common in infants of multiparous mothers and without prenatal iron supplementation.
- Rapid weight gain was inversely correlated with ferritin levels.
Conclusions:
- Significant prevalence of iron deficiency and borderline deficiency in the studied infant population.
- Dietary factors, particularly iron supplementation in infant formulas, play a critical role.
- Maternal factors and rapid infant growth are associated with increased risk of iron deficiency.
Abstract:
A study of iron deficiency was carried out in two districts in Paris among 207 children aged 10 months recruited from two well-baby out-patient clinics. The main results are as follows: 12% of children were anemic, ferritin was low in 21% and 40% had a borderline deficiency, as shown by a decrease in siderophilin saturation. The average daily milk intake was greater among the immigrants, but this group, being mainly fed whole cow milk with no iron supplementation, had a lower iron intake overall. A positive correlation was found between the percentage of ingested iron-supplemented formulas and the mean corpuscular volume or serum iron levels. Iron deficiency was more frequent in children born to multiparous mothers and in the absence of any iron supplement during pregnancy. Weight gain was inversely correlated to ferritin levels, suggesting a major role of fast growth on iron metabolism.