Spontaneous resolution of bioquimical iron deficiency in infants, unrelated to dietary intake and body growth, chosed at random of healthy population

Identifier:  PC:1585

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/PC1585

Authors:  J Salas Salvado; V Arija Val; J Fernandez-Ballart; C Martí-Henneberg

Abstract:
In order to prevent iron deficiency, especially in children, iron enriched foods are recommended in developed countries. In a random sample of 300 children (aged 6 months – 16 years) 14 children between 0.5 and 4 years were diagnosed as iron deficient but without anaemia. Subjects were considered to present with iron deficiency if they possessed two or more abnormal values of the following biochemical parameters: red cell volume, erythrocyte protoporphyrin concentration, transferrin saturation capacity and serum ferritin. After one year, 12 of the 14 children on reassessment, were considered to be non-deficient in iron- During this period, we observed no statistical differences in dietary intake and growth rate between there iron deficient children and age and sex matched controls. This suggest that children presenting abnormal biochemical values of iron status could be observed in presence of normal dietary intake and growth rate and does not necessary require rectification by dietary iron enrichment.