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Summary Too much iron can affect infants health and memory.
In a new study from Chile, infants who already had high levels of haemoglobin proteins in their blood and were fed iron-fortified formula ended up with lower scores on tests of thinking and memory than those given low-iron formula.Researchers wrote in the Archives of Paediatrics & Adolescent Medicine that most infants didnt show any developmental harm as a result of fortified formula. And those who started with low levels of haemoglobin, an iron-rich molecule in red blood cells, did better in the long run if they got the extra iron.Through the worse scores in some kids were totally unexpected, study author Dr Betsy Lozoff said, Its a very small proportion of the children... I am very cautious about it. Iron deficiency is recognized as a global public health problem, and low iron can stunt brainpower in kids.“We know that iron is essential for brain development. The last thing I would want is for people not to give their babies iron, Lozoff, from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, said.Recommendations call for babies in the US to get an iron test during the first year of life to check for deficiencies.The WHO recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of life, continued for two years or longer. Still, If I were to give formula, I would certainly want to know my baby’s iron status, Lutter told said.
