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Iron status and infant feeding practices in an urban ambulatory center
Insights
Early introduction of whole cow's milk is linked to iron deficiency in infants. This nutritional problem is prevalent in urban settings, affecting infant iron status significantly.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Iron deficiency is a significant global health concern, particularly in infants.
- Infant feeding practices play a crucial role in determining iron status.
- Urban populations may face unique challenges regarding infant nutrition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between infant feeding practices and iron status.
- To identify risk factors for iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia in infants.
- To assess the impact of early cow's milk introduction on infant iron levels.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 280 infants aged 9-12 months attending a well-baby clinic.
- Assessment of iron status through laboratory tests.
- Analysis of infant feeding practices, including the timing of whole cow's milk introduction.
Main Results:
- Overall, 7.6% were iron depleted, 19.7% iron deficient without anemia, and 8.2% iron deficient with anemia.
- Iron-deficiency anemia was higher in Black infants (14.3%) compared to White infants (2.7%).
- Infants introduced to whole cow's milk before 6 months had higher rates of nutritional iron inadequacy (62.1%) compared to those introduced after 6 months (21.8%).
- 90.5% of infants with iron-deficiency anemia were fed whole cow's milk before 6 months of age.
Conclusions:
- Early introduction of whole cow's milk before 6 months is strongly associated with increased risk of iron deficiency in infants.
- Iron deficiency remains a critical nutritional issue for urban infants.
- Dietary interventions focusing on appropriate infant feeding schedules are crucial for preventing iron deficiency.
Abstract:
The relationship of infant feeding practices to iron status was examined in a group of 280 infants, 9 to 12 months of age, attending a "well-baby" clinic. Of this group, 7.6% were found to be iron depleted, 19.7% were iron deficient without anemia, and 8.2% were iron deficient with anemia. The incidence of iron-deficiency anemia was significantly greater in the black infants than the white infants (14.3% v 2.7%). The introduction of whole cow's milk into the diet had occurred prior to 6 months of age in 29.2% of the infants, and 62.1% of these infants had laboratory evidence of nutritional iron inadequacy, as contrasted with only 21.8% of those with iron deficiencies fed cow's milk after 6 months of age. Of the 21 infants with iron-deficiency anemia, 19 (90.5%) had been fed whole cow's milk prior to 6 months of age. Iron deficiency remains a nutritional problem for infants in an urban setting and is largely a result of the early introduction of whole cow's milk into the diet.