Iron status in breast-fed full-term infants

The aim of this study was to evaluate the iron status of full-term babies breastfed exclusively for four months and the importance of iron supplementation, One hundred sixteen term infants followed up since the newborn period by a well baby clinic were included in the study. Iron deficient and/or anemic infants were excluded from the study at: four months. Some of the infants (51) were later given appropriate complementary food besides breast-feeding (Group A) and same (42) were given ferrous sulfate (1 mg/kg/d) (Group B), Blood count and serum iron and ferritin measurements were done at four and six months of age. At the 4(th) month, iron deficiency was found in 23 (19.8%) infants, II of which had iron deficiency anemia. At the 6(th) month, 23 (45%) infants in Group A were iron deficient and 11 (21.6%) of them had iron deficiency anemia, In Group B, three (7.1%) infants were iron deficient and one (2.4%) of them also had iron deficiency anemia (p < 0.0001). Significant iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia have been found in four-month-old exclusively breast-fed full-term infants. It is observed that complementary food alone is insufficient; there is need for iron supplementation.