Iron Deficiency

In the UK Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in early childhood.¹ It is therefore important that infants get an adequate supply of iron in their diets.

Evidence suggests that an infant’s average iron intake begins to decrease any time between 4-6 months up until the infant is around 1½-2½ years old. Intakes after this time then begin to increase.²

Groups at risk

Groups at particular risk include:

Premature infants
Fussy eaters
Infants fed a vegetarian or vegan diet
Infants fed a limited weaning diet
Infants whose main drink, from an early age, is cows’ milk
(cows’ milk is not recommended as a main drink until 12 months of age)

Effects of deficiency

Iron deficiency over a prolonged period can lead to tiredness, anaemia, energy loss, lower resistance to infection and is even associated with developmental delay and poor growth – which are reversible with treatment.³

For research information on iron - Click here

Dietary Management

You can advise parents that good weaning practices can help avoid iron deficiency occurring. Foods that are high in iron include:

Red meat, pulses, dried fruits, fortified breakfast cereals, green leafy vegetables.

In addition, particularly for infants at risk of iron deficiency, e.g. faddy eaters, the prolonged use of an iron-supplemented formula may help.

As vitamin C helps the body absorb iron, the Department of Health recommends it should form part of any meal containing iron.

Some meals high in iron include:

Shepherds Pie
Lentil dhal and chappati
Broccoli and cheese bake
Fortified breakfast and baby cereals

Follow-on milks can be used as a safety net

Cows’ milk only contains minimal amounts of iron. A follow-on milk like SMA Progress* contains all of an infants’ daily iron requirement in 550 ml.

What’s more, SMA Progress also contains the optimum iron to vitamin C ratio to help ensure good iron absorption.⁴
"A blind randomised intervention trial found that replacing unmodified cows' milk with an iron supplemented formula up to 18 months of age, prevents iron deficiency anaemia in infants particularly at risk."⁵

For more information on SMA Progress* - Click here

References:
1. Department of Health COMA report on weaning and the weaning diet. HMSO 1994; 45: 37.

2. Gregory JR, Collins DL et al. National Diet and Nutrition Survey: Children aged 1½ - 4½ years. London HMSO 1995.

3. Booth IW, Aukett MA. Iron deficiency anaemia in infancy and early childhood. Arch Dis Child 1997; 76: 549-553.

4. Stekel A et al. Absorption of fortification iron from milk formulas in infants. Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1986; 43:917-922.

5. Gill D G et al. Follow - on formula in the prevention of iron deficiency: a multicentre study. Acta paediatr 1997; 86: 683-9.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Breast feeding is best for babies. Infant milks are intended to replace breast milk when mothers do not breast feed. Good maternal nutrition is important for the preparation and maintenance of breast feeding. Introducing partial bottle feeding may have a negative effect on breast feeding and reversing a decision not to breast feed is difficult. You should always seek the advice of a doctor, midwife, health visitor, public health nurse, dietitian or pharmacist on the need for and proper method of use of infant milks and on all matters of infant feeding. Infant milk should always be prepared and used as directed. Unnecessary or improper use of infant milk may present a health hazard. Social and financial implications should be considered when selecting a method of infant feeding. • SMA PROGRESS is a follow-on milk for babies over 6 months and is not intended to replace breast feeding. When used in conjunction with solid feeding, it provides the nourishment essential to a baby's healthy and sustained growth.

*Trade Mark

This information is intended for use only by residents of the UK and ROI