The UK's Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition published their review of Iron and Health in Spring 2011. The report represents a scientific review of all aspects of iron in health, including infants and young children.
The report confirms previous findings that show that toddlers are a key group at risk of iron deficiency anaemia. Health professionals are the main group responsible for assessing those at risk of iron deficiency anaemia and offering appropriate advice, which includes both advice on iron in the diet and, if appropriate, the use of iron supplements.
Iron is found in haemoglobin, found in red blood cells and is important for transporting oxygen around the body. It has many additional roles within the immune system and many enzyme reactions.
Infants are born with a supply of iron that is adequate for the first six months of life. After that time an infant needs to receive iron from the food and drinks consumed. The SACN brings into question the need for a DRV for iron during the first six months of life, as the stores are adequate. However, it is clear that from six months of age that iron is an extremely important nutrient.
Research suggests that anaemia (iron deficiency) is a cause of poor motor development in children under three, and on cognitive development in older children. However, the report highlights that the long term effect is unclear and further work is required in this area.
Clearly, the report confirms that iron is an important nutrient in the diet of infants and young children particularly during the weaning stage. The main sources of iron in the diet are red meat, green leafy vegetables, pulses and foods fortified with iron such as breakfast cereals and formula milk (infant and follow-on formula). Haem iron, or iron found in red meat, is well absorbed whereas iron from vegetable sources such as beans, pulses and green vegetables is less well absorbed. Iron fortified foods can be invaluable in contributing to the total iron intake, particularly in young children who have small appetites or may be fussy eaters. Additionally, a heavy reliance on cows’ milk as a drink is a classic indication of risk of iron deficiency, and research has shown that simply replacing cows’ milk in young children with an iron fortified formula can help to address problems associated with very low iron intakes.
The SACN Iron and Health report is an important update on the scientific consensus on iron in the diet and its role in health. With the confirmation that toddlers and young children remain an ‘at risk’ group when considering iron deficiency.
BSNA and its members highlight the role that fortified foods and drinks can play in the diets of young children. Follow-on formula, suitable for infants from six months of age, is specially developed in line with EU Legislation to provide iron, to reflect the increased iron requirements of children aged six months and above. Iron is also added to Growing-up milk, which is specially developed for toddlers. Bread and many breakfast cereals are also fortified with iron and can also be useful additions to a toddlers diet.
The full SACN Iron and Health Report is available here : SACN 'Iron and Health' report