Iron status of breastfed infants is improved equally by medicinal iron and iron-fortified cereal.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although uncommon, iron deficiency (ID) occurs in breastfed infants. The regular provision of iron may prevent ID.

Objective

The objective was to test the feasibility and effectiveness of 2 modalities of providing iron (medicinal iron or iron-fortified cereal) to breastfed infants. The study tested the hypothesis that regular provision of iron improves iron status of breastfed infants without adverse effects.

Design

In this prospective, randomized, open-label trial, breastfed infants received on a regular basis either medicinal iron (n = 48) or an iron-fortified fruit-cereal combination (n = 45) from 4 to 9 mo or no intervention (control group; n = 59). The interventions provided 7.0-7.5 mg ferrous sulfate/d. Infants were enrolled at 1 mo and were followed

SUBMITTER: Ziegler EE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2696996 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature