Browsing by Subject "ferritiini"

Background and aim Limited global research is available on the nutritional status of preschool-aged children following a vegan diet. Significant disparities in the absorption of animal and plant-based iron call for an investigation into the iron status of vegan children. The aim of the study was to assess the iron status of preschool-aged children and their caregivers following vegan or vegetarian diets compared to their omnivorous counterparts using multiple iron biomarkers. An additional aim was to capture the variation of dietary intake within the diet groups by constructing a dietary variable and exploring its association with iron biomarkers. Methods In a cross-sectional MIRA 2 study 2-6-year-old children following either a vegan, vegetarian or mixed diet, and their family members, were recruited from daycare centres in Helsinki. Parents reported their own and their children's diets and completed a short screener of dietary intake. Haemoglobin, transferrin receptor and ferritin concentrations were analysed from blood samples. The data used in this study included children (N=61) and parents (N=72) who provided a blood sample and answered the background questionnaire. Diet groups were formed based on the screener. Iron biomarker distributions were examined by diet groups with the Kruskal-Wallis test and iron deficiency prevalence was examined using the Fisher’s exact test. Dietary variables were constructed by principal component analysis and linear regression models were used to assess the association between the variables and iron biomarkers. Results Compared to omnivorous children, children following a vegan diet had lower haemoglobin concentrations (median -7 g/L), and children following a vegetarian diet were found to have haemoglobin values below the reference value (<112 g/L) more often. Vegan men had lower ferritin concentrations compared to omnivorous men (median -55 µg/l). Animal-based dietary pattern was associated with higher haemoglobin concentrations in children and ferritin concentrations in men. In women, a negative linear association was found between animal-based dietary pattern and ferritin concentrations. Of all children and women, 26% and 28 % had ferritin concentrations below the reference value (<12/15 µg/L). Conclusions Iron biomarker concentrations of vegetarians and vegans were lower compared to omnivores. While the popularity of plant-based diets is increasing, studies assessing the long-term effects of childhood vegetarian diets are warranted.

Introduction: Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in children under 5 years old. Iron is essential for the optimal growth and development of the child. Iron deficiency during the first 3 years can lead to permanent adverse effects on neurodevelopment. The risk for iron deficiency is high from 6 months of age when the need for iron is high and solid foods often with low iron content are introduced to the diet in addition to breastmilk or formula milk. Finnish one 1 year old children do not get the recommended amount of iron from their diet. Aims: The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of iron deficiency and the association between diet and iron deficiency (serum ferritin < 12 µg/l) during the first year of life. Special interest was paid to breastfeeding, formula milk and regular cow's milk use and the timing of solid food introduction. Materials and methods: The study population is part of the DIABIMMUNE-study (2008-2013) birth cohort (0─3 years). From Finland 79% (n=305), Estonia 78% (n=258) and Russia 100% (115) of the invited families with a newborn infant participated in the follow-up study. DIABIMMUNE included clinical examination, laboratory tests and a questionnaire related to diet and other lifestyle and health factors. In this study serum ferritin samples of 3, 6 and 12 months old infants were used to assess iron status. A three days dietary record was collected from 6 and 12 months old Finnish (n=220) and Estonian (n=162) children. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistic software version 24. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation (SD), median and proportions), Spearman and Pearsson correlations and linear regression analysis were used to assess the diet and its associations with serum ferritin levels in Finnish and Estonian infants. Results: Only Russian infants (5%) had iron deficiency at the age of 3 months. The prevalence of iron deficiency was 5% at Finnish 6 and 12 months year old infants. The prevalence increased significantly between the ages of 6 and 12 months in Estonian (5% -> 17%) and Russian (15% -> 28%) infants. The duration of exclusive breastfeeding was short, and it was not associated with iron stores in 6 months old but the infants with iron deficiency received only breastmilk, not formula in addition to solid foods. The timing of solid foods (4-6 month vs. 6 month) was associated with iron stores. Non-breastfed infants had more solid foods in their diets than breastfed infants, especially foods rich in iron. Estonian children received less formula milk than Finnish children. The amount of iron was not associated with iron stores and the amount of calcium was associated with smaller iron stores. Long duration of breastfeeding and the use of regular cow's milk products (not formula) was associated with low iron stores at the age of 12 months in Finnish and Estonian children. Conclusions: The short duration of exclusive breastfeeding in Finnish and Estonian children highlights the need of breastfeeding support for families. Infants receiving breastmilk are at bigger risk of developing iron deficiency than those who receive formula milk. Especially infants who are breastfed should be given solid foods rich in iron. Adding solid foods before the age of six months in populations where use on formula milk is common hardly brings any benefits in relation to iron stores. Regular cow's milk products do not belong to the diet of under 12 months old infants. Health care professional who work with families with small children should be aware of the risk factors of iron deficiency in infant's diet.