Iron Supplements Harmful to Infants?

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Results of a new study reveal iron supplements for infants who already have sufficient levels might delay development -- results that could have a large impact on the baby formula and food industry.

Researchers at the University of Michigan studied 494 children from Chile and found those given iron fortified formula as infants were less developed in their cognitive and visual-motor skills by age 10 than those who received low-iron formula.

In the United States, 12 milligrams per liter of iron is typically added to infant formulas to prevent iron-deficiency anemia -- a condition linked to poor development in infants, anemia in mothers during pregnancy, premature birth, low birth weight and other complications. On average, the children who showed adverse affects scored 11 points lower in IQ and 12 points lower in visual-motor integration; however, Betsy Lozoff, M.D., a research professor at the University of Michigan and the studys principal investigator, stresses that most children who received the fortified formula did not show lower scores.

Infants iron or hemoglobin levels are not usually checked before nine to 12 months of age. Dr. Lozoff says its too early to recommend early testing or avoid supplemental iron based on the study. At this point theres no basis for changing practice, but its really important that we have continued research on this issue, she was quoted as saying.

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SOURCE: Pediatric Academic Societies & Asian Society for Pediatric Research Joint Meeting in Honolulu, HI, May 2-6, 2008

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