title: Iron intakes and status of 2-year-old children in the Cork BASELINE Birth Cohort Study.
abstract: Young children are at risk of iron deficiency and subsequent anaemia, resulting in long-term consequences for cognitive, motor and behavioural development. This study aimed to describe the iron intakes, status and determinants of status in 2-year-old children. Data were collected prospectively in the mother-child Cork BASELINE Birth Cohort Study from 15 weeks' gestation throughout early childhood. At the 24-month assessment, serum ferritin, haemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume were measured, and food/nutrient intake data were collected using a 2-day weighed food diary. Iron status was assessed in 729 children (median [IQR] age: 2.1 [2.1, 2.2] years) and 468 completed a food diary. From the food diary, mean (SD) iron intakes were 6.8 (2.6) mg/day and 30% had intakes < UK Estimated Average Requirement (5.3 mg/day). Using WHO definitions, iron deficiency was observed in 4.6% (n = 31) and iron deficiency anaemia in five children (1.0%). Following an iron series workup, five more children were diagnosed with iron deficiency anaemia. Twenty-one per cent had ferritin concentrations <15 µg/L. Inadequate iron intakes (OR [95% CI]: 1.94 [1.09, 3.48]) and unmodified cows' milk intakes ≥ 400 mL/day (1.95 [1.07, 3.56]) increased the risk of low iron status. Iron-fortified formula consumption was associated with decreased risk (0.21 [0.11, 0.41] P < 0.05). In this, the largest study in toddlers in Europe, a lower prevalence of low iron status was observed than in previous reports. Compliance with dietary recommendations to limit cows' milk intakes in young children and consumption of iron-fortified products appears to have contributed to improved iron status at two years.
authors: Cork Centre for Vitamin D and Nutrition Research, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Ireland.|The Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT), University College Cork, Ireland.
authors: Elaine K
authors: EK
authors: McCarthy
authors: Cork Centre for Vitamin D and Nutrition Research, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Ireland.|The Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT), University College Cork, Ireland.
authors: Carol
authors: C
authors: Ní Chaoimh
authors: The Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT), University College Cork, Ireland.|Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University College Cork, Ireland.
authors: Jonathan O'B
authors: JO
authors: Hourihane
authors: The Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT), University College Cork, Ireland.|Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College Cork, Ireland.
authors: Louise C
authors: LC
authors: Kenny
authors: Department of Clinical Medicine, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.|Department of Paediatric Dermatology, Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.|National Children's Research Centre, Dublin, Ireland.
authors: Alan D
authors: AD
authors: Irvine
authors: The Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT), University College Cork, Ireland.|Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University College Cork, Ireland.
authors: Deirdre M
authors: DM
authors: Murray
authors: Cork Centre for Vitamin D and Nutrition Research, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Ireland.|The Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT), University College Cork, Ireland.
authors: Mairead
authors: M
authors: Kiely
mesh_terms: D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000818:Animals; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015930:Diet Records; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry*; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D064167:Recommended Dietary Allowances; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D019266:Iron, Dietary; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron
keywords: anaemia; birth cohort; cows' milk consumption; food fortification; iron deficiency; iron intakes