Prevention of Iron Deficiency in Breastfed Infants

Prevention of Iron Deficiency in Breastfed Infants

With early screening and appropriate iron supplementation, iron deficiency in the first year of life can be prevented in breastfed infants.

Infants with low ferritin at 1 month are at high risk of iron deficiency. They will receive iron drops starting at 2 months. All other infants are at low risk of iron deficiency. All infants will receive iron-fortified cereal starting at 4 months of age.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Term infants
• gestational age 37-42 weeks
• birth weight > 2500 g
• exclusively breastfed at 28 d of age
• intend to breast feed until 9 mo of age

Exclusion Criteria:

• supplemental formula before 4 mo of age