TY - JOUR

T1 - Iron deficiency in healthy 18-month-old Danish children is associated with no oral iron supplementation in infancy and prolonged exclusive breast-feeding

AU - Andersen, Anh Thao N

AU - Husby, Steffen

AU - Kyhl, Henriette Boye

AU - Sandberg, Maria Boysen

AU - Sander, Stine Dydensborg

AU - Mølgaard, Christian

N1 - CURIS 2019 NEXS 386 (Embargo)

PY - 2019

Y1 - 2019

N2 - Iron deficiency (ID) defined as plasma ferritin <12 µg/L is associated with delayed cognitive development in early childhood and increased incidence of infections, however the longitudinal association between early life factors and ID in 18-month-old children in Denmark is unknown. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ID and to describe risk factors associated with ID in healthy 18-month-old Danish children. Blood samples, anthropometric measurements and self-reported questionnaire data had been obtained in the birth cohort, Odense Child Cohort (OCC). The questionnaires were modified from those used in the DNBC, Danish National Birth Cohort. Plasma ferritin and C-reactive protein in venous, non-fasting samples were analysed in the final sample size of 370 children after exclusion of 79 children due to chronic disease, acute infection, C-reactive protein >10 mg/L, twin birth or prematurity. Associations with ID were analysed by logistic regression, adjusting for sex, maternal education, duration of partial breastfeeding and current intake of milk, fish and meat. Overall, 56 children had ID (15.1%). Factors associated with increased risk were exclusive breastfeeding beyond 4 months (OR 5.97, 95%CI [1.63; 21.86]) and no intake of oral iron supplements from 6-12 months (OR 3.99, 95%CI [1.33; 11.97]. Duration of partial breastfeeding and current diet were not associated with ID. In conclusion, the ID prevalence was 15.1%, and both exclusive breastfeeding beyond 4 months and no intake of oral iron supplements from 6-12 months were associated with increased risk for ID in 18-month-old children.

AB - Iron deficiency (ID) defined as plasma ferritin <12 µg/L is associated with delayed cognitive development in early childhood and increased incidence of infections, however the longitudinal association between early life factors and ID in 18-month-old children in Denmark is unknown. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ID and to describe risk factors associated with ID in healthy 18-month-old Danish children. Blood samples, anthropometric measurements and self-reported questionnaire data had been obtained in the birth cohort, Odense Child Cohort (OCC). The questionnaires were modified from those used in the DNBC, Danish National Birth Cohort. Plasma ferritin and C-reactive protein in venous, non-fasting samples were analysed in the final sample size of 370 children after exclusion of 79 children due to chronic disease, acute infection, C-reactive protein >10 mg/L, twin birth or prematurity. Associations with ID were analysed by logistic regression, adjusting for sex, maternal education, duration of partial breastfeeding and current intake of milk, fish and meat. Overall, 56 children had ID (15.1%). Factors associated with increased risk were exclusive breastfeeding beyond 4 months (OR 5.97, 95%CI [1.63; 21.86]) and no intake of oral iron supplements from 6-12 months (OR 3.99, 95%CI [1.33; 11.97]. Duration of partial breastfeeding and current diet were not associated with ID. In conclusion, the ID prevalence was 15.1%, and both exclusive breastfeeding beyond 4 months and no intake of oral iron supplements from 6-12 months were associated with increased risk for ID in 18-month-old children.

KW - Faculty of Science

KW - Odense Child Cohort

KW - Iron deficiency prevalence

KW - Oral iron supplementation

KW - Duration of exclusive breastfeeding

U2 - 10.1017/S0007114519002496

DO - 10.1017/S0007114519002496

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 31566157

VL - 122

SP - 1409

EP - 1416

JO - British Journal of Nutrition

JF - British Journal of Nutrition

SN - 0007-1145

IS - 12

ER -