Iron and the Exclusively Breast-Fed Infant from Birth to Six Months

Abstract

This study was designed to determine whether normal, full-term, exclusively breast-fed infants developed Fe deficiency anemia, as defined by Hb or red blood cell indices more than 2 SD below the age-specific mean or depletion of Fe stores, as defined by an abnormally low serum ferritin level; 33 breast-fed infants were followed from birth to 6 mo. Maternal blood and cord blood at delivery and venous blood from the infants at 2, 4 and 6 mo. were analyzed for anemia as defined above. At 6 mo. of age, the mean Hb concentration of these infants was slightly higher than the normal mean; 4 of 33 infants (12%) had a mean corpuscular volume > 2 SD below the reported normal mean; and 2 of 33 infants (6%) had a serum ferritin level < 12 ng protein/ml. The infant who is exclusively breast-fed for the first 6 mo. of life evidently is not at high risk for the development of Fe deficiency anemia or the depletion of Fe stores during that time.