Breast milk contains only 0.3 to 0.5 mg of iron per litre. Iron-fortified cereals, which are important iron sources, may not be used or may not be readily available in remote communities. Other factors may have contributed to iron deficiency in the breast-fed babies in this study. This important study has implications for public health and nutrition programs, especially around breast-feeding and the introduction of supplementary foods. It is important that these findings not be construed as a criticism of breast-feeding.
Breast is still best.
However, because of the severe, sometimes irreversible neurologic and developmental effects that may be associated with iron-deficiency anemia, these findings should not be ignored. Further studies are needed. Percentile curves for hemoglobin and red cell volume in infancy and childhood. Emond AM, Hawkins N, Pennock C, Golding J. Haemoglobin and ferritin concentrations in infants 8 months of age. Nutrition for healthy term infants .