Complementary food choices from 6–18 mo: effect on iron (Fe) status and inflammation

Objective To compare Fe status in rural poor 18 mo old toddlers fed 3 different complementary foods. Methods The study was a cross‐sectional convenience sub‐sample of a larger study in which 6 mo old infants were randomized to receive 50g/d pork (MG, n=137), an equi‐caloric micronutrient fortified cereal‐based supplement (FG,140) or local non‐fortified rice supplement (LG, 133) for 1 yr. Hb, sTfR, HsCRP, ferritin, AGP were measured in serum; calprotectin (FCP) was measured in feces. Body Fe =‐log (sTfR) × 1000/ferritin)‐2.8229]/0.1207. Fe deficiency=ferritin<12μg/L. Results Mean (± SD) Hb, MCV, MCHC, sTfR, ferritin did not differ among groups. Significant differences were:Parameter MG FG LG P‐valueBody Fe, mg/kg 1 6.6 ± 3.1 7.6 ± 2.6 6.3 ± 3.4 <0.01Fe deficiency, n (%) 1 40 (34%) 26 (25%) 46 (41%) 0.03AGP, g/L, (n) 0.75±0.21(37) 0.98±0.33(39) 0.83±0.35(31) <0.01FCP, μg/g, (n) 200±214(37) 413±491(39) 192±197(31) <0.0011 Excluded subjects with Hs‐CRP>3mg/LConclusion Micronutrient fortified cereal improved Fe status but was also associated with systemic and intestinal inflammation. Supported by Thrasher Research Fund; Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health.