Purpose: The aims of this study were to evaluate the response of oral iron
treatment in children with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) fed whole cow's mil
k (WCM) or soy formula; to compare the incidence of fecal blood loss in inf
ants fed WCM and soy formula; and to evaluate the incidence and relation of
protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) and IDA by testing serum albumin, fecal b
lood loss, and fecal alpha(1)-antitrypsin (alpha(1)AT).
Methods: Twenty-four children with nutritional IDA were randomly assigned t
o receive either 16 oz WCM or soy formula daily. Both groups were treated w
ith daily therapeutic oral iron during 12 weeks. Stool specimens for hemogl
obin losses were collected at weeks 0, 3, 6, and 12. Levels of serum albumi
n and fecal alpha(1)AT were tested at diagnosis and when LDA was corrected.
Results: Anemia was corrected in 21 of the 24 children by week 6 or 12. Med
ian fecal hemoglobin losses were not increased in either group at diagnosis
or during treatment. Seven of 24 children had PLE at diagnosis with elevat
ed fecal alpha(1)AT levels of 72 to 381 mg/dL that returned to normal after
correction of IDA. Their initial fecal alpha(1)AT levels averaged 170 mg/d
L at diagnosis and 21 mg/dL after the IDA was corrected. Excessive WCM inta
ke of 30 oz/day or more was present in 63% of the infants.
Conclusions: Treatment of nutritional IDA with oral iron was just as effect
ive with a limited quantity of either WCM or soy formula. Fecal hemoglobin
losses were uncommon and did not differ in children at diagnosis or during
treatment of IDA. PLE associated with IDA resolves when the IDA is correcte
d, but differences between children fed WCM or soy formula could not be det
ected.