Iron status in breast-fed full-term infants.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the iron status of full-term babies breast-fed exclusively for four months and the importance of iron supplementation. One hundred sixteen term infants followed up since the newborn period by a well baby clinic were included in the study. Iron deficient and/or anemic infants were excluded from the study at four months. Some of the infants (51) were later given appropriate complementary food besides breast-feeding (Group A) and some (42) were given ferrous sulfate (1 mg/kg/d) (Group B). Blood count and serum iron and ferritin measurements were done at four and six months of age. At the 4th month, iron deficiency was found in 23 (19.8%) infants, 11 of which had iron deficiency anemia. At the 6th month, 23 (45%) infants in Group A were iron deficient and 11 (21.6%) of them had iron deficiency anemia. In Group B, three (7.1%) infants were iron deficient and one (2.4%) of them also had iron deficiency anemia (p < 0.0001). Significant iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia have been found in four-month-old exclusively breast-fed full-term infants. It is observed that complementary food alone is insufficient; there is need for iron supplementation.
Arvas
A
A
Department of Pediatrics, Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Turkey.
Elgörmüş
Y
Y
Gür
E
E
Alikaşifoğlu
M
M
Celebi
A
A
D000328:Adult; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D001724:Birth Weight; D001835:Body Weight; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008423:Maternal Age; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009752:Nutritional Status; D014421:Turkey
D005296:Ferrous Compounds; C020748:ferrous sulfate; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron