Breastfed Babies and Iron Deficiency

Full Breastfeeding Duration and Risk for Iron Deficiency in U.S. Infants

A study published in Breastfeeding Medicine suggests that infants fully breastfed for 6 months or more in the United States may be at increased risk of iron deficiency and anemia.  This study analyzed data from two nationally conducted cross-sectional surveys, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III, which took place from 1988-1994 and NHANES 1999-2002.  Anemia and iron status were compared for five groups: formula fed only, full breastfeeding <1 month, full breastfeeding 1-<4 months, full breastfeeding 4-<6 months, or full breastfeeding > 6 months.  Full breastfeeding was defined as the use of breastmilk as the overwhelming majority of the diet.

The study found a five fold increased risk of low iron for infants fully breastfed for >6 months compared to those fully breastfed for 1 to <6 months and twice the risk of low iron compared to formula fed infants.  The study found that NHANES III infants who were fully breastfed for >6 months had 3-5 times the risk of having a reported history of anemia compared to those fully breastfed for 1 to <6 months and twice the risk compared to formula fed infants.  The association held up even when the analysis controlled for factors typically associated with iron deficiency, such as birth weight, demography, race/ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic, status, and education. 

The authors conclude that their finding “needs confirmation,” but recommend that physicians stress the importance of foods rich in iron to infants and children 6 months of age or older.

Chantry et al.  Full Breastfeeding Duration and Risk for Iron Deficiency in U.S. Infants. 

Breastfeed Med

; 2007; Jun; 2 (2): 63-73.