Iron status in 2-year-old Icelandic children and associations with dietary intake and growth

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Abstract
Objective: To investigate the effects of food and nutrient intake at 2 y and growth from birth on iron status at 2 y in a population with high birth weight. Design: In a cross-sectional study, children's food consumption and body size measurements were recorded and blood samples taken. Weighed 3-day food records were used to analyse food and nutrient intake. Setting: Children were recruited from across Iceland from the Icelandic National Registry by the University of Iceland, Computing Services. The children in the sample were born over a 1-y period. Subjects: Parents of randomly selected 2-year-old children (n=130) were contacted, and 72% (n=94) participated. Blood samples were analysed in 76% (n=71) of participating children. Results: In total, 9% of the children were iron-deficient (serum ferritin (SF)500 g cow's milk/day (n=10) were iron-deficient, while one child in 58 consumingPR2=0.15; P=0.002; n=58). Iron-depleted children were heavier than children not iron-depleted (14.71.3 vs 13.81.7 kg; P=0.043), had higher BMI (17.71.5 vs 16.71.4 kg/m2; P=0.028) and gained more weight from birth (11.21.3 vs. 10.01.6 kg; P=0.011). Conclusions: The results suggest that cow's milk consumption above 500 g/day should be avoided at the age of 2 y for better iron status. Iron depletion at 2 y is associated with faster growth from birth. Sponsorship: Research Fund of the University of Iceland.