Iron status of young children in Europe

Title: Iron status of young children in Europe

Iron deficiency is classified by the WHO as the world’s most common and widespread nutritional disorder (http://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/ida/en/).  While the risks associated with iron deficiency are known, concerns are also emerging about high iron intake and hazards associated with iron supplementation of infants and young children that already have sufficient iron stores.

The review aims to characterize the iron status in Europe by describe the prevalence of iron deficiency, iron deficient anemia, iron repletion, and excess stores with the use of published data, combined with other selected iron status data in young European children

These data indicate that iron deficiency is common in children that consume cow’s milk as their main milk drink compared to children consuming formula or fortified milks. In formula consumers, the prevalence of high-end iron stores appeared to be similar to that in the total population, even though the prevalence of iron deficiency was lower.

In the European context, the consumption of young child formula seems to be an effective strategy for preventing iron deficiency, while simultaneously avoiding an unfavorably high surge in iron stores.

Further research is needed to further establish the effectiveness of young child formula and to develop and evaluate other strategies that could reduce the prevalence of iron deficiency and iron deficient anemia while preventing excess iron stores.

For more details about the study, please read the full text of the paper.