Sensitivity analyses and meta-regression for hemoglobin suggested a higher response with lower trial quality ( suboptimal allocation concealment and blinding ) , use of condiments , and sodium iron edetate and a lower response when adults were included .
Consumption of iron-fortified foods results in an improvement in hemoglobin , serum ferritin , and iron nutriture and a reduced risk of remaining anemic and iron deficient
BACKGROUND The utility of iron fortification of food to improve iron deficiency , anemia , and biological outcomes is not proven unequivocally .
Meat as a First Complementary Food for Breastfed Infants: Feasibility and Impact on Zinc Intake and Status
Objective : This study was undertaken to assess the feasibility and effects of consuming either meat or iron-fortified infant cereal as the first complementary food . Methods : Eighty-eight exclusively breastfed infants were enrolled at 4 months of age and r and omized to receive either pureed beef or iron-fortified infant cereal as the first complementary food , starting after 5 months and continuing until 7 months . Dietary , anthropometric , and developmental data were obtained longitudinally until 12 months , and biomarkers of zinc and iron status were measured at 9 months . Results : Mean ( ±SE ) daily zinc intake from complementary foods at 7 months for infants in the meat group was 1.9 ± 0.2 mg , whereas that of the cereal group was 0.6 ± 0.1 mg , which is approximately 25 % of the estimated average requirement . Tolerance and acceptance were comparable for the two intervention foods . Increase in head circumference from 7 to 12 months was greater for the meat group , and zinc and protein intakes were predictors of head growth . Biochemical status did not differ by feeding group , but approximately 20 % of the infants had low ( < 60 μg/dL ) plasma zinc concentrations , and 30 % to 40 % had low plasma ferritin concentrations ( < 12 μg/L ) . Motor and mental subscales did not differ between groups , but there was a trend for a higher behavior index at 12 months in the meat group . Conclusions : Introduction of meat as an early complementary food for exclusively breastfed infants is feasible and was associated with improved zinc intake and potential benefits . The high percentage of infants with biochemical evidence of marginal zinc and iron status suggests that additional investigations of optimal complementary feeding practice s for breastfed infants in the United States are warranted
Sensitivity analyses and meta-regression for hemoglobin suggested a higher response with lower trial quality ( suboptimal allocation concealment and blinding ) , use of condiments , and sodium iron edetate and a lower response when adults were included .
Consumption of iron-fortified foods results in an improvement in hemoglobin , serum ferritin , and iron nutriture and a reduced risk of remaining anemic and iron deficient
BACKGROUND The utility of iron fortification of food to improve iron deficiency , anemia , and biological outcomes is not proven unequivocally .