Effects of Iron in Neonates and Young Infants: a Review

Iron is essential to erythrocyte oxygen transport and is a catalyst for oxidative metabolism in all cells. Iron is absorbed by the duodenum and requires an acidic environment for optimal absorption. Iron is found for 70% in erythrocytes, and 30% in storage, and a small amount in myoglobin and cytochromes. Iron supplementation reduces anemia in breastfed infants and increases in significant dose-dependent effects hemoglobin and ferritin levels, transferrin saturation, mean cell volume, and transferrin receptor levels. The prevalence of iron deficiency at 6 months of age is 36% in the placebo, 8.2% after 1 mg/kg per day, and 3.8% after 2 mg/kg per day iron (P<0.05). The prevalence rates of iron deficiency anemia is 9.9%, and 2.7%, respectively (P<0.05). Iron supplements are well tolerated. Infants with iron-deficiency anemia test lower in mental and motor development assessment. Low-birth-weight (2,000 to 2,500 grams) infants received 0, 1, or 2 mg/kg iron per day from 6 weeks to 6 months of age. The prevalence of child with Child Behavior Checklist scores were 12.7%, 2.9% and 2.7% in the placebo, 1 mg and 2 mg iron supplementation, respectively (P<0.05). Infants lacking iron supplements respond less positively to the physical and social environment and have growth and development retardation. Prenatal alcohol exposure causes an increase in the incidence of iron-deficiency anemia. Iron is used to combat iron deficient anemia in infants. The aim of this study was to review the effects of iron in infants.