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 .
Clinical Safety of Iron-Fortified Formulas
Background . Iron-fortified formulas are recommended throughout infancy and are frequently used beyond , yet safety aspects have been inadequately studied . Iron could theoretically increase pro-oxidant stress , with potential adverse effects , including infection risk , and some clinicians suspect that iron-fortified formulas induce gastrointestinal disturbance . Objective . A planned component of a large intervention trial has been to test the hypothesis that infants receiving iron-fortified formula  do not have a higher incidence of infections ( primary outcome ) or gastrointestinal problems ( secondary outcome ) than infants on low iron-formulas or cow 's milk . Methods . Children ( n = 493 ) 9 months old receiving cow 's milk were recruited in 3 UK centers and r and omized to : 1 ) cow 's milk as before , 2 ) formula containing .9 mg/L of iron  , or 3 ) an  otherwise identical formula but  containing 12 mg/L of iron . Children were followed at 3 monthly intervals and the episodes of infections , diarrhea and constipation , and general morbidity to 18 months old were recorded . Hematologic indices of iron status were determined at 18 months old . Results . Serum ferritin concentrations were increased in infants receiving iron-fortified formula but there were no intergroup differences in incidence of infection , gastrointestinal problems , or in general morbidity or weight gain . Conclusions . We were unable to identify adverse health effects in older infants and toddlers consuming a high iron-containing formula ( 12 mg/L ) even when used in population s with a low incidence of iron deficiency
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 .