CONTROL OF INFANT IRON-DEFICIENCY ANEMIA - USE OF IRON SUPPLEMENTED MILK

We evaluated the effect of iron supplemented milk on 86 healthy infants who were followed from 3 to 12 months of age. Whole milk was supplemented with 15 mg elementary iron as ferrous sulphate and 100 mg ascorbic acid per 100 g powder. 104 infants received the same milk with no supplement and served as control. All iron nutritional paramenters were higher in the supplemented group at 9 and 12 months of treatment (p < 0.01). Iron deficiency anemia was shown in 34% of the control as compared to 0% of the treatment group. The product exhibited excellent tolerance and could therefore be used to erradicate iron deficiency anemia of the infant.