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Iron status in breast-fed infants
A Pisacane1, B De Vizia, A Valiante
1Dipartimento di Pediatria, Università di Napoli Federico II, Italy.
Insights
Prolonged exclusive breastfeeding is linked to better infant iron status. Infants breastfed exclusively for 7+ months showed no anemia, unlike those breastfed for shorter durations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition Science
- Hematology
Background:
- Infant iron deficiency anemia is a significant public health concern.
- Breastfeeding is a primary nutrition source for infants, but iron content is low.
- Concerns exist regarding iron status in exclusively breastfed infants beyond 6 months.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the iron status of exclusively breastfed infants at 12 and 24 months.
- To determine the relationship between the duration of exclusive breastfeeding and infant anemia.
- To assess the impact of prolonged exclusive breastfeeding on iron status.
Main Methods:
- Study included 30 exclusively breastfed infants up to 12 months.
- Infants received no cow milk, medicinal iron, or iron-enriched formula/cereals.
- Iron status was assessed at 12 and 24 months; anemia was defined at 12 months.
Main Results:
- 30% of infants were anemic at 12 months.
- Non-anemic infants had significantly longer exclusive breastfeeding durations (6.5 vs 5.5 months).
- Infants exclusively breastfed for 7+ months had 0% anemia, compared to 43% in shorter-duration groups.
Conclusions:
- Prolonged exclusive breastfeeding (≥7 months) is associated with adequate iron status and prevention of anemia.
- Exclusive breastfeeding duration is a critical factor for maintaining infant iron levels.
- These findings support recommendations for extended exclusive breastfeeding for optimal infant iron health.
Abstract:
Iron status of 30 infants who had been breast fed until their first birthday and who had never received cow milk, medicinal iron, or iron-enriched formula and cereals was investigated; 30% were anemic at 12 months of age. The duration of exclusive breast-feeding was significantly longer among nonanemic infants (6.5 vs 5.5 months). None of the infants who were exclusively breast fed for 7 months or more and 43% of those who were breast fed for a shorter time were anemic. Infants who were exclusively breast fed for a prolonged period had a good iron status at 12 and 24 months.