The aim of this study was to find out if there are differences in iron
status between Norwegian and immigrant infants from the same residenc
e area, and if there are differences in weaning practices which may ha
ve implications for iron status of these infants. All mothers with a n
ormal pregnancy and delivery were invited to participate, and 88 out o
f the 90 eligible, accepted; 74 infants fulfilled the criterion (CRP <
15 mg/L) for inclusion in iron status analyses; 35 Norwegian and 39 im
migrants (19 of Turkish descent). Median values for Norwegian and immi
grant infants were: Hb (120 vs 116 g/L, p=0.05), MCV (78 vs 75 fl., p<
0.001) MCH (25.9 vs 24.6 pg, p<0.001), TrS (17.2 vs 13.1 %, p=0.05). M
ore immigrant (and Turkish) infants had depleted (p<0.05) and very low
(p=0.06) iron stores, compared to Norwegians. Substantial differences
in breast feeding patterns were only found between Norwegian and the
Turkish infants. Median time of exclusive breast feeding was 1.5 month
s for the Turkish and 3.5 months for the Norwegian infants (p=0.02); 2
5% of the Norwegian and 55% of the Turkish infants were introduced to
formula milk at 3 months of age (p=0.05). At 6 months 34% of the Turki
sh and 7% of the Norwegian infants had been introduced to cows milk (p
=0.01). Al one year of age the Norwegian infants had a higher frequenc
y of intake of wholemeal bread, liver paste and meat/fish, whereas the
immigrant children had a higher frequency of intake of rice and veget
ables. Duration of exclusive breast feeding and the frequency of intak
e of liver paste were found to be significantly related to iron stores
(indicated by ferritin values above or below 15 mu g/L and 20 mu g/L)
, whereas weight gain and the frequency of intake of vegetables were i
nversely related to these stores.