Effect of iron on neonatal gut flora during the first week of life

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Abstract
Faecal specimens from 23 infants during the first week of life were compared. Ten infants received breast milk, six received cow-milk preparation supplemented with iron (± 5 mg/l) and seven unfortified cow-milk preparation (iron concentration < 0.5 mg/l). Those on breast milk had low faecal pH, high counts of bifidobacteria and low counts ofEnterobacteriaceae, bacteroides and clostridia. Infants receiving fortified cow-milk preparation had a high faecal pH and high counts ofEnterobacteriaceae and putrefactive bacteria such as bacteroides and clostridia. Counts of bifidobacteria were also high. In those on unfortified cow-milk preparation a slow rise was observed in counts ofEnterobacteriaceae followed by an increase in counts and isolation frequency of bifidobacteria: the latter was still rising on day 7. It is concluded that a low iron content in standard preparations of cow's milk enhances resistance of the neonatal gut to colonization.
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