Iron Intake and Status of Children Aged 6-36 Months in Europe: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional disorder in the world. Young children are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of iron deficiency because of their rapidly developing brain. This review evaluates the prevalence of inadequate iron intake and iron deficiency (anaemia) in European children aged 6-36 months. Summary: Computerized searches for relevant articles were performed in November 2013. A total of 7,297 citations were screened and 44 studies conducted in 19 European countries were included in this review. In both infants (6-12 months) and young children (12-36 months), the mean value of iron intakes in most countries was close to the RDA. Nevertheless, proportions of inadequate intakes were considerable, ranging from about 10% in the Netherlands up to 50% in Austria, Finland and the United Kingdom. The prevalence of iron deficiency varied between studies and was influenced by children's characteristics. Two to 25% of infants aged 6-12 months were found to be iron deficient, with a higher prevalence in those who were socially vulnerable and those who were drinking cow's milk as a main type of drink in their first year of life. In children aged 12-36 months, prevalence rates of iron deficiency varied between 3 and 48%. Prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia in both age groups was high in Eastern Europe, as high as 50%, whereas the prevalence in Western Europe was generally below 5%. Key Messages: In most European countries, mean iron intakes of infants and children aged 6 to 36 months were found to be close to the RDA. Nevertheless, high proportions of inadequate intakes and high prevalence rates of iron deficiency were observed. Health programs should (keep) focus(ing) on iron malnutrition by educating parents on food choices for their children with iron-rich and iron-fortified foods, and encourage iron supplementation programmes where iron intakes are the lowest.

Impact of the two different iron fortified cookies on treatment of anemia in preschool children in Brazil

“…Studies show that the prevalence of anaemia is from moderate to severe magnitude in many countries, including European countries (26) and highlight the importance of doing interventions to control it as if it was a serious public health problem.…”

Meat and Meat Product Consumption among Infants in Latvia

“…6 (711) Of the studies performed in the United Kingdom, the only study with a very high prevalence of iron deficiency (ID) (31%) was conducted in 1992-1993. These were the years that the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) crisis reached its peak in the United Kingdom and the consumption of beef, an important source of iron, fell by 25% (Eussen et al, 2015).…”

Assessment of iron in uterine and testicular tissues and hair of free-ranging and household cats

“…Its deficiency in mammals, which results from decreased Fe intake, has been linked with anemia (Eussen et al 2015). On the other hand, an excess of Fe can lead to the generation of reactive oxygen species through Fenton and Haber-Weiss reactions and subsequent oxidative stress cellular damage (Galaris and Pantopoulos 2008).…”