Efficacy of meat and iron-fortified commercial cereal to prevent iron depletion in cow milk-fed infants 6 to 12 months of age: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether utilization of iron from infant cereal and pureed meat was sufficient to prevent iron depletion and/or anaemia in infants 6 to 12 months old fed whole cow milk (WCM) as their primary milk source.


METHODS
Six-month-old infants were randomized into a treatment group (n = 43) receiving iron-fortified infant cereal (10.2 mg iron), pureed meat (0.75-1.7 mg iron) and WCM for six months or a control group (n = 54) receiving no dietary intervention. Haemoglobin < 110 g/L or ferritin < 10 micrograms/L (measured bi-monthly), confirmed in a second blood sample, defined end-points.


RESULTS
Proportion reaching end-point was similar between the treatment (3/43) and control infants (5/54) (p = 0.66). Infants not complying with the protocol were at greater risk of reaching end-point (p = 0.0002). Change in haemoglobin and ferritin across age was similar in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Iron deficiency is not a concern in WCM-fed infants after six months of age if iron-containing complementary foods are concurrently ingested.
Yeung
G S
GS
Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, ON.
Zlotkin
S H
SH
D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000818:Animals; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002523:Edible Grain; D005527:Food, Fortified / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D008460:Meat / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008892:Milk