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

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  • Magnus Domellöf
  • Christian Braegger
  • Cristina Campoy
  • Virginie Colomb
  • Tamas Decsi
  • Mary Fewtrell
  • Iva Hojsak
  • Walter Mihatsch
  • Mølgaard, Christian
  • Raanan Shamir
  • Dominique Turck
  • Johannes van Goudoever
  • ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition
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
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
Volume58
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)119-129
Number of pages11
ISSN0277-2116
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014

ID: 58461584