• S G Wharf, T E Fox, S J Fairweather-Tait, and J D Cook.
• Institute of Food Research, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich, NR4 7UA, Norfolk, UK.
• Eur J Clin Nutr. 1997 Aug 1; 51 (8): 504-9.

ObjectivesTo determine the effects of dietary, physiological or environmental factors on body iron levels in infants aged 4-18 months.DesignThe daily iron intake of the infants was measured from a diet history obtained by interview using a standardised question sheet, previously validated against weighed intake (minimum 3 days) in an independent sample of 8 and 18 month old infants. Capillary blood samples were analyzed for haemoglobin, mean cell volume, haematocrit, zinc protoporphyrin and plasma ferritin concentration. Ferritin values were log-transformed prior to analysis to give a better approximation to the normal distribution and forward stepwise multiple linear regression was carried out using SPSS.SettingThe city of Norwich, UK and some of its suburbs.SubjectsOne hundred and eighty-one healthy infants in age groups 4, 8, 12 and 18 months.ResultsMain determinants of iron stores in the 4 month old infants were birth weight (+ve (P < 0.001)) and body weight (-ve (P < 0.005)). In the 8 month old infants intake of cow's milk (-ve (P < 0.05)), belonging to a smoking household (-ve (P < 0.05)) and quantity of commercial babyfood consumed (+ve (P < 0.05)) were significant. In this age group there was a gender effect (girls > boys (P < 0.01)) and the gender effect remained at 12 months (girls > boys (P < 0.05)), but at 18 months only non-haem iron intake was a significant factor (-ve (P < 0.05)).ConclusionsAt 4 months of age birth weight and body weight exert the greatest influence on iron stores, whereas by 8 months components of the weaning diet have an effect (commercial babyfood (+ve), cow's milk (-ve)); there is also a gender effect (girls > boys), possibly reflecting the different growth rate between boys and girls. At 12 and 18 months the only significant factors are gender (girls > boys) and non-haem iron intake (-ve) respectively.

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