Abstract
Studies from our laboratory have shown that iron is better absorbed fron human milk than from cow milk and can provide sufficient iron for infants during their first year. This study was designed to compare iron availability from human milk with other formulas and determine factors responsible for its superiority. Adults were fed 100 ml of the following: human milk (HM), simulated human milk (SHM), simulated human milk containing added lactoferrin (SHM-L) and 2 commercial formulas (CF) containing iron, 12 mg/qt. The SHM resembled HM in concentration of protein, fat, carbohydrate, iron, total minerals, calcium and phosphorus. Fe59 was added to each feeding and iron incorporation into red cells was determined 14 days after each feed. Iron absorption was highest from HM (15.7%) and lowest from one of the CF (1.7%). The SHM supported a 9.3% absorption; addition of lactoferrin reduced this to 4.7%. Net iron absorption was 0.12 mg/L from HM and 0.20 and 0.37 mg/L from the iron enriched CF's. This study demonstrates that the enhanced iron absorption from HM is not a simple result of its gross composition or the presence of lactoferrin, and that HM, with only 6% of the iron of a leading CF, can provide as much as 60% of the iron derived from such a proprietary milk.
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Mcmillan, J., Oski, F., Staples, L. et al. IRON ABSORPTION FROM HUMAN MILK, SIMULATED HUMAN MILK AND PROPRIETARY FORMULAS. Pediatr Res 11, 447 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00464
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00464
