Variables in the Whole Cow's Milk Intake, that Impact upon the Iron Status in Early Childhood

Jung, Jun Kyo; Jeon, In Sang

Abstract

BACKGROUND: It was recognized that the intake of the whole cow's milk(WCM) early (before 1 year old of age) and large amount in early childhood is related to the iron deficiency, sometimes the iron deficiency anemia in advanced state. To verify the relationship between the variables in the WCM intake and the iron status, we carried out this study.
METHODS
Thirty subjects(1 year to 3 years old of age) were classified as a WCM large intake group and a WCM small intake group. The relationship between the WCM commencing age and the iron status(serum ferritin, transferrin saturation and hemoglobin) in the WCM large intake group was evaluated and analyzed by the linear regression. Futhermore, the relationship between the value of WCM intake amountxduration/10 and the iron status(serum ferritin, transferrin saturation and hemoglobin) in the WCM large and small intake groups was evaluated and analyzed by the linear regression.
RESULTS
As the WCM commencing age was earlier, the values of serum ferritin, transferrin saturation and hemoglobin decreased significantly(P<0.05). The values of serum ferritin and transferrin saturation decreased significantly as the value of WCM intake amountxduration/10 increased(P<0.05). But the value of hemoglobin decreased insignificantly as the value of WCM intake amountxduration/10 increased(P>0.1).
CONCLUSION
The variables in the intake of WCM influence upon the iron status in early childhood. The early commencing of the WCM(before 1 year old of age) is the worst variable that influences adversely upon the iron status in early childhood. The amount of WCM intake and the duration influence upon the storage iron(serum ferritin and transferrin saturation), but not hemoglobin. In this regard, it is necessary to inform the parents of the correct WCM intake ways to avoid the irreversible recognition impairment and behavioral change.