Relationship Between Iron Status and Incidence of Infection in Infancy

Abstract

At present, there is no evidence to warrant modification of the recent recommendations of the Committee for the prevention of iron deficiency in infancy.1 The benefits of supplementation seem to outweigh the possibility of iron excess during a period of development characterized by marginal iron stores. Except for the first two months of life, iron stores in children are proportionately much lower than in the adult, and iron balance may be more precarious. Unless carefully controlled clinical studies provide evidence to the contrary, iron fortification of formula and foods seems to provide safe and effective methods for maintaining iron stores and preventing iron deficiency18,35 in infancy. The benefits of prolonged breast-feeding are emphasized not only for the prevention of iron deficiency but also because of the nutritional and immunologic properties of human milk.