Iron intakes and status of 2‐year‐old children in the Cork Baseline Birth Cohort Study

Bibliographic Data

ID15536201
AuthorsElaine K McCarthy (0000-0002-9809-1769, University College Cork), Carol ní Chaoimh (National Children’s Research Centre), Jonathan O’B Hourihane (0000-0003-4997-9857, Infant), Louise C Kenny (0000-0002-9011-759X, University College Cork), Alan D Irvine (0000-0002-9048-2044, Trinity College Dublin), Deirdre M Murray (0000-0002-5581-6408, Infant), Mairead E Kiely (0000-0003-0973-808X, National Children’s Research Centre, corresponding author)
Year2016
Volume13
Issue3
Publication date2016-08-09
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueMaternal and Child Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1740-8695 • E-ISSN: 1740-8709
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/mcn.12320
PMID27501864
OpenAlexW2512708119
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited10

Young children are at risk of iron deficiency and subsequent anaemia, resulting in long-term consequences for cognitive, motor and behavioural development. This study aimed to describe the iron intakes, status and determinants of status in 2-year-old children. Data were collected prospectively in the mother-child Cork BASELINE Birth Cohort Study from 15 weeks' gestation throughout early childhood. At the 24-month assessment, serum ferritin, haemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume were measured, and food/nutrient intake data were collected using a 2-day weighed food diary. Iron status was assessed in 729 children (median [IQR] age: 2.1 [2.1, 2.2] years) and 468 completed a food diary. From the food diary, mean (SD) iron intakes were 6.8 (2.6) mg/day and 30% had intakes < UK Estimated Average Requirement (5.3 mg/day). Using WHO definitions, iron deficiency was observed in 4.6% (n = 31) and iron deficiency anaemia in five children (1.0%). Following an iron series workup, five more children were diagnosed with iron deficiency anaemia. Twenty-one per cent had ferritin concentrations <15 μg/L. Inadequate iron intakes (OR [95% CI]: 1.94 [1.09, 3.48]) and unmodified cows' milk intakes ≥ 400 mL/day (1.95 [1.07, 3.56]) increased the risk of low iron status. Iron-fortified formula consumption was associated with decreased risk (0.21 [0.11, 0.41] P < 0.05). In this, the largest study in toddlers in Europe, a lower prevalence of low iron status was observed than in previous reports. Compliance with dietary recommendations to limit cows' milk intakes in young children and consumption of iron-fortified products appears to have contributed to improved iron status at two years

Anemia · Cohort · Cohort study · Dietary iron · Ferritin · Hematocrit · Iron deficiency · Iron status · Mean corpuscular volume · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Iron Metabolism and Disorders · Medicine · Internal Medicine · Pediatrics

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