From: pburch@roc.mbcr.bcm.tmc.edu (Paula Burch)
Newsgroups: misc.kids
Subject: Re: Constipation and Feeding problems
Date: 30 Sep 1992 16:55:31 GMT
Organization: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tx
Distribution: world
Reply-To: pburch@roc.mbcr.bcm.tmc.edu (Paula Burch)
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Originator: pburch@roc.mbcr.bcm.tmc.edu


In article <1992Sep25.135728.27469@random.ccs.northeastern.edu>, sgauch@ccs.northeastern.edu (Susan Gauch) writes:
|> In article <19tcp8INNp9l@gap.caltech.edu> thogek@cco.caltech.edu (Thomas G. Kiefer) writes:
|> >
|> >Commonly-known dietary fact, particularly with infants: too much iron
|> >causes constipation.  How much is "too much" depends on the baby, but
|> 
|> While this is a "commonly-known" fact, it may be an old wives tale.
|> Parenting magazine had an article a year ago that said there was
|> no proven link between iron and constipation (or I believe it might
|> have been no link between iron and "digestive problems").  Anyone
|> willing to search the literature?  Ask sci.med?

It's commonly known because it certainly IS true in adults. However, 
for the official line on infants, which may be quite different from 
adults in this respect for all I know...

AU Tunnessen-W-W Jr. Oski-F-A.
TI Consequences of starting whole cow milk at 6 months of age.
SO J-Pediatr.  1987 Dec.  111(6 Pt 1).  P 813-6.
AB Two groups of infants, one fed whole cow milk commencing at 6 months
   of age (n = 69) and the other continuing to receive iron-fortified
   infant formula (n = 98), were closely observed over their second 6
   months of life.  At 12 months of age, infants fed cow milk had
   significantly lower mean serum ferritin levels and mean corpuscular
   volume, higher free erythrocyte protoporphyrin values, and greater
   incidence of hemoglobin values less than 11 g/dl than did formula-fed
   infants.  There were *no significant differences* in frequency of
   otitis media, wheezing episodes, nasal discharge or congestion,
   diaper dermatitis, *constipation,* guaiac-positive stools, or hospital
   admissions between the two groups.  These data suggest that, to avoid
   iron deficiency, infants should continue to receive iron-fortified
   formula throughout the first year of life or a daily iron supplement
   if they are fed whole cow milk before their first birthday.
   Author-abstract.

Looks like you're right, Susan. (This was the only one I found.) Hard to
believe that adults and children are so different in this respect, but 
they are in so many others that it shouldn't be.

Another one that popped up that may be of interest (remember, *don't 
do this* without the advice of your baby's doctor! This is just something 
for you to discuss with your doctor as one possibility, if you like):

AU Becker-M.  Rosskamp-R.
TI `Therapy of constipation with wheat bran in infancy and early
   childhood:.
SO Monatsschr-Kinderheilkd.  1987 Aug.  135(8).  P 522-4.
AB In 22 infants and children aged 6 to 62 months (mean = 23 months)
   with severe constipation a commercially produced solid food
   containing 4.2 g wheat bran was used for 41 days.  Acceptance was
   satisfactory, compatibility was reported to be good.  In 86% of the
   children normal bowel movements appeared within 8.2 days of therapy.
   Blood levels of hemoglobin, calcium, phosphathase, alkaline
   phosphatase, iron, transferrin, total protein, cholesterol, and
   carotene were controlled in monthly intervals.  Under wheat bran
   there was only a slight decrease of carotene concentrations by 13.5
   mg/dl (p less than 0.05) and a minimal increase of alkaline
   phosphatase activity by 14.5 U/l (p less than 0.1).  In 8 healthy
   infants aged 4.5-9 months (mean = 6.7 months) the bran preparation
   induced an increase of stool weight by 21.5% (p less than 0.05),
   whereas the frequency of bowel actions did not change.  The results
   indicate that bran preparations may be used in severe constipation
   even in early childhood.  Author-abstract.

Paula Burch
pburch@bcm.tmc.edu