Abstract
Iron status in 15 low birth weight infants, 1000–2499 g, on breast feeding was studied longitudinally for the first 6 months of age, and the findings compared to those of 30 low birth weight infants receiving a proprietary iron-fortified formula. The two groups received no iron supplement until they developed iron deficiency. The incidence of iron deficiency at 6 months was significantly greater in the breast-fed group than in the formula-fed group (86% v 33%). The breast-fed group had significantly lower serum ferritin and hemoglobin values after 4 months of age. The findings indicate that breast-fed low birth weight infants have a higher risk of developing iron deficiency and should receive iron supplementation from 2 months of age.
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Abbreviations
- TIBC:
-
total iron-binding capacity
- MCV:
-
mean corpuscular volume
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Iwai, Y., Takanashi, T., Nakao, Y. et al. Iron status in low birth weight infants on breast and formula feeding. Eur J Pediatr 145, 63–65 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00441856
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00441856