Erythrocyte incorporation of iron by 56-day-old infants fed a 58Fe-labeled supplement

• Published in: Pediatric research Vol. 38; no. 3; pp. 373 - 378
• Main Authors: FOMON, S. J, ZIEGLER, E. E, NELSON, S. E, SERFASS, R. E, FRANTZ, J. A
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 01-09-1995
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Breast Feeding; Erythrocytes - metabolism; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; Ferritins - blood; Food, Fortified; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Infant; Infant Food; Iron - administration & dosage; Iron - blood; Male; Nutritional Status; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Human; Incorporation; Nutrition; Oral administration; Red blood cell; Infant; Iron; Supplementation; Metabolism; Inorganic element; Feeding
• ISSN: 0031-3998; 1530-0447
• DOI: 10.1203/00006450-199500000-00017

In an effort to obtain information about absorption of supplemental iron by breast-fed infants during the early months of life, we determined erythrocyte incorporation of a stable iron isotope, administered to 56-d-old breast-fed infants in the form of a 58Fe-labeled vitamin-iron supplement. Infants of similar age fed a milk-based formula low in iron (approximately 4 mg/L) were also studied. The 58Fe-labeled vitamin-iron supplement was given between feedings. Fourteen days after administration of 58Fe, mean erythrocyte incorporation of the isotope was 7.8% of the dose by breast-fed infants and 4.4% of the dose by formula-fed infants. The feeding-related difference was statistically significant, probably reflecting the greater quantities of inhibitors of iron absorption in the intestines of formula-fed infants. With mean iron intake from the 58Fe-labeled vitamin-iron supplement of 7.99 mg for the breast-fed infants, erythrocyte incorporation of 7.8% of the dose corresponded to 0.62 mg, a value in the range of the estimated requirement for absorbed iron. We conclude that 2-mo-old breast-fed infants are able to absorb nutritionally significant amounts of iron from an iron supplement.