Correction of Iron Deficiency with an Iron-Fortified Fluid Whole Cowʼs Milk in Children

PURPOSE: This study assesses the efficacy of an iron-fortified (15 mg Fe, as stabilized ferrous sulfate (SFE-171), per liter) fluid whole cow's milk (IFFWCM) for the treatment of mild iron deficiency in children. Previous studies in healthy adult volunteers showed a mean 10.2 +/- 4.7% iron absorption. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventeen children (12 to 48 months old) with iron deficiency (serum iron (SI) < 60 micrograms/dl, transferrin saturation (TS) < 15%, serum ferritin (SF) < 15 ng/ml) were included in this study; 11 of them were anemic. As treatment, they received IFFWCM, instead of the customary whole cow's milk, for at least 4 months; medicinal iron was not administered. Hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb), SI, TS, and SF were determined monthly. RESULTS: The Hb increased from 10.3 +/- 0.8 to 12.7 +/- 0.6 g/dl in the group with anemia (delta F-B: 2.4 +/- 1.0 g/dl) and from 12.6 +/- 0.7 to 13.5 +/- 0.3 g/dl in the group without anemia (delta F-B: 0.9 +/- 0.5 g/dl); the difference between both groups was significant (p < 0.01); the rate for Hct values showed a similar pattern. In the whole group, the SI increased to 84.8 +/- 37.4 micrograms/dl, with no difference between children with anemia and children without anemia; TS showed a similar pattern (delta F-B: 19.0 +/- 11.0%). The mean SF increased from 12.1 +/- 2.7 ng/ml to 27.9 +/- 25.4 ng/ml. Normal values for Hct, Hb, SI, and TS were reached by 100% of children; the rate for SF was 56.3%. Time required to reach normal Hct in the children with anemia was 59.4 +/- 33.0 days. Acceptance and tolerance were excellent; no treatment had to be discontinued. The group of patients with anemia was compared with an historical group composed of 55 children matched for age, basal Hct, and achieved Hct increase, treated with medicinal FS (4-6 mg/kg/day): time required to reach normal Hct was shorter in the FS-treated group (39.0 +/- 14.5 days) (p = 0.050). CONCLUSION: The use of IFFWCM alone could be an effective, relatively inexpensive, and well-tolerated treatment of iron deficiency in children.