In contrast, both breast-fed babies and those fed cow's milk had findings suggestive of iron deficiency. Microcytic, hypochromic anemia in these infants was most likely due to iron deficiency, although other, less likely, conditions, such as chronic disease, vitamin B 6 deficiency, lead poisoning and thalassemia minor, can give a similar picture. The mean weight gain, and, thus, the blood volume expansion with growth, was less for breast-fed infants. If anything, this should have resulted in less demand for iron and less reason for iron deficiency.
Iron deficiency associated with consumption of cow's milk is well known.
A healthy baby is protected against iron deficiency during the first 6 months of life. Thereafter, exogenous sources of iron become important, and this may be where the problem begins. 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.