Iron fortified follow on formula from 9 to 18 months improves iron status but not development or growth: a randomised trial

Aims-Iron deficiency anaemia is associated, in observational studies, with developmental disadvantage. This study tested the hypothesis that feeding i ron supplemented formula from 9 to 18 months of age would improve developme ntal performance, Subjects and methods-493 healthy children aged 9 months being fed pasteuris ed cows' milk were recruited from three UK centres. They were randomised to : cows' milk as before, formula containing 0.9 mg/Litre iron, or formula co ntaining 1.2 mg/litre iron, until 18 months of age. Bayley mental and psych omotor developmental indices were measured at 18 months, as were growth and haematological indices. Results-Children fed iron fortified formula had higher plasma ferritin conc entrations, but there were no significant intergroup differences in develop ment or growth. Conclusions-There are no developmental or growth advantages in children giv en iron supplemented formula, but a benefit for a minority who were anaemic , or the possibility that a benefit may emerge at a later age, cannot be ex cluded.