Diet and iron deficiency in the first year of life: a retrospective study.
In an observational cohort of 385 infants, we have investigated the relationship between hemoglobin (Hb) levels and iron stores and the type of milk feeding [breast milk (BM), formula milk (FM), cow's milk (CM), age and type of weaning, and socioeconomic status] at 8 and 12 months of age. Levels of Hb<11 g/dl and iron stores <15 ng/ml were significantly more frequent in BM and CM groups than in FM group (P<0·05). Significant differences of Hb mean were observed among the three groups, while ferritin mean were lower in BM and CM groups than in FM group (P<0·05). Socioeconomic factors also influenced Hb levels and iron stores through differences in diet. Deprived infants were 23·1% of cohort and many of them received BM (43·5% at 8 months versus 38·5% at 12 months) or CM (42·6% at 8 months versus 47% at 12 months), while >50% were weaned before 6th month of age. FM feeding and weaning <6 months of age are related with better Hb levels and iron stores. Analysis of the impact of weaning on Hb levels and iron stores showed that infants weaned <6 months of life had, regardless of milk feeding, higher Hb and ferritin levels than weaned >6 months.
Department of Pediatrics, Second University of Naples, Via de Crecchio no. 4, Naples, Italy.
L
L
Capozzi
R
R
Russo
F
F
Bertocco
D
D
Ferrara
M
M
Ferrara
D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000209:etiology*; D000818:Animals; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008892:Milk; D019370:Observation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014886:Weaning
D006454:Hemoglobins; D005293:Ferritins