Prevalence of iron deficiency in 12-mo-old infants from 11 European areas and influence of dietary factors on iron status (Euro-Growth study)

A prospective longitudinal cohort study was performed to assess the prevale nce of iron deficiency in European infants at 12 mo of age, and to study th e influence of socio-economic status, dietary factors, growth and morbidity on iron status. The cohort consisted of 488 normal term infants from prima ry healthcare centres in 11 European areas. Assessed were socio-economic va riables, dietary intake, anthropometry and morbidity at regular intervals f rom birth to 12 mo, and haemoglobin, serum ferritin, mean corpuscular volum e, transferrin saturation and serum transferrin receptor concentrations at age 12 mo. The prevalence of anaemia was 9.4%. of iron deficiency 7.2%, and of iron deficiency anaemia 2.3%. More than 40% of anaemia was associated w ith normal iron status and associated with an increased frequency of recent infections. Iron deficiency anaemia was significantly more frequent with l ow (5.1%) than high socio-economic status (0%). Dietary factors accounted f or most of this variation in multiple regression analysis. Early introducti on of cows' milk was the strongest negative determinant of iron status. Fee ding of iron-fortified formula was the main factor positively influencing i ron status. Other dietary factors, including breastfeeding, did not play a significant role as determinants of iron status at age 12 mo. Conclusion. Iron deficiency anaemia is present in 2.3% of 12-mo-old Europea n infants. The prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia varies strongly with s ocio-economic status, Avoidance of cows' milk feeding during the first year of life is the key measure in the prevention of il on deficiency.