Iron requirements of infants and toddlers: A position paper by the ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition

TY - JOUR

T1 - Iron requirements of infants and toddlers

T2 - A position paper by the ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition

AU - Domellöf, Magnus

AU - Braegger, Christian

AU - Campoy, Cristina

AU - Colomb, Virginie

AU - Decsi, Tamas

AU - Fewtrell, Mary

AU - Hojsak, Iva

AU - Mihatsch, Walter

AU - Mølgaard, Christian

AU - Shamir, Raanan

AU - Turck, Dominique

AU - van Goudoever, Johannes

AU - ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition

N1 - CURIS 2014 NEXS 006

PY - 2014

Y1 - 2014

N2 - Iron deficiency (ID) is the most common micronutrient deficiency worldwide and young children are a special risk group since their rapid growth leads to high iron requirements. Risk factors associated with a higher prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) include low birth weight, high cow's milk intake, low intake of iron-rich complementary foods, low socioeconomic status and immigrant status.The aim of this position paper is to review the field and provide recommendations regarding iron requirements in infants and toddlers, including those of moderately or marginally low birth weight.There is no evidence that iron supplementation of pregnant women improves iron status in their offspring in a European setting. Delayed cord clamping reduces the risk of iron deficiency. There is insufficient evidence to support general iron supplementation of healthy, European infants and toddlers of normal birth weight. Formula-fed infants up to 6 months of age should receive iron fortified infant formula, with an iron content of 4-8 mg/L (0.6-1.2 mg/kg/d). Marginally low birth weight infants (2000-2500 g) should receive iron supplements of 1-2 mg/kg/d. Follow-on formulas should be iron-fortified. However, there is not enough evidence to determine the optimal iron concentration in follow-on formula. From the age of 6 months, all infants and toddlers should receive iron-rich (complementary) foods including meat products and/or iron fortified foods. Unmodified cow's milk should not be fed as the main milk drink to infants before the age of 12 months and intake should be limited to

AB - Iron deficiency (ID) is the most common micronutrient deficiency worldwide and young children are a special risk group since their rapid growth leads to high iron requirements. Risk factors associated with a higher prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) include low birth weight, high cow's milk intake, low intake of iron-rich complementary foods, low socioeconomic status and immigrant status.The aim of this position paper is to review the field and provide recommendations regarding iron requirements in infants and toddlers, including those of moderately or marginally low birth weight.There is no evidence that iron supplementation of pregnant women improves iron status in their offspring in a European setting. Delayed cord clamping reduces the risk of iron deficiency. There is insufficient evidence to support general iron supplementation of healthy, European infants and toddlers of normal birth weight. Formula-fed infants up to 6 months of age should receive iron fortified infant formula, with an iron content of 4-8 mg/L (0.6-1.2 mg/kg/d). Marginally low birth weight infants (2000-2500 g) should receive iron supplements of 1-2 mg/kg/d. Follow-on formulas should be iron-fortified. However, there is not enough evidence to determine the optimal iron concentration in follow-on formula. From the age of 6 months, all infants and toddlers should receive iron-rich (complementary) foods including meat products and/or iron fortified foods. Unmodified cow's milk should not be fed as the main milk drink to infants before the age of 12 months and intake should be limited to

U2 - 10.1097/MPG.0000000000000206

DO - 10.1097/MPG.0000000000000206

M3 - Review

C2 - 24135983

SN - 0277-2116

VL - 58

SP - 119

EP - 129

JO - Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

JF - Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

IS - 1

ER -