Infant feeding in the second 6 months of life related to iron status: an observational study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between iron status in infancy and type of milk and weaning solids consumed.


METHODS
An observational cohort study.


METHODS
928 term infants from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children in 1993-94.


METHODS
Haemoglobin and ferritin concentrations at 8 and 12 months were assessed in relation to type and quantity of milk intake at 8 months.


RESULTS
By WHO criteria, 22.7% of the infants were anaemic at 8 months and 18.1% at 12 months. More breast--than formula-fed infants were anaemic at 8 and 12 months. Cows' milk as the main drink was associated with increased anaemia at 12 months and low ferritin at 8 and 12 months. No association was found between any nutrients and haemoglobin concentrations. Protein and non-haem iron intakes were positively associated with ferritin concentrations and calcium intake negatively. This effect was more marked in infants being fed cows' milk. More than 25% of infants in the breast milk and cows' milk groups and 41% of infants having >6 breast feeds per day had iron intakes below the lower reference nutrient intake. Feeding cows' milk or formula above 600 ml or >6 breast feeds per day was associated with lower intakes of solids.


CONCLUSIONS
Both breast and cows' milk feeding were associated with higher levels of anaemia. Satisfactory iron intake from solids in later infancy is more likely if formula intake is <600 ml per day and breast feeds are limited to <6 feeds per day. Cows' milk should be strongly discouraged as a main drink before 12 months.
Hopkins
David
D
Bristol Children's Hospital, Bristol, UK.
Emmett
Pauline
P
Steer
Colin
C
Rogers
Imogen
I
Noble
Sian
S
Emond
Alan
A
D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000818:Animals; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009751:Nutritional Requirements
D005293:Ferritins