Iron status and weaning practices among Norwegian and immigrant infants

The aim of this study was to find out if there are differences in iron status between Norwegian and immigrant infants from the same residence area, and if there are differences in weaning practices which may have implications for iron status of these infants. All mothers with a normal pregnancy and delivery were invited to participate, and 88 out of the 90 eligible, accepted; 74 infants fulfilled the criterion (CRP <15 mg/L) for inclusion in iron status analyses; 35 Norwegian and 39 immigrants (19 of Turkish descent). Median values for Norwegian and immigrant infants were: Hb (120 vs 116 g/L, p=0.05), MCV (78 vs 75 fl., p<0.001) MCH (25.9 vs 24.6 pg, p<0.001), TrS (17.2 vs 13.1 %, p=0.05). More immigrant (and Turkish) infants had depleted (p<0.05) and very low (p=0.06) iron stores, compared to Norwegians. Substantial differences in breast feeding patterns were only found between Norwegian and the Turkish infants. Median time of exclusive breast feeding was 1.5 months for the Turkish and 3.5 months for the Norwegian infants (p=0.02); 25% of the Norwegian and 55% of the Turkish infants were introduced to formula milk at 3 months of age (p=0.05). At 6 months 34% of the Turkish and 7% of the Norwegian infants had been introduced to cows milk (p=0.01). Al one year of age the Norwegian infants had a higher frequency of intake of wholemeal bread, liver paste and meat/fish, whereas the immigrant children had a higher frequency of intake of rice and vegetables. Duration of exclusive breast feeding and the frequency of intake of liver paste were found to be significantly related to iron stores (indicated by ferritin values above or below 15 mu g/L and 20 mu g/L), whereas weight gain and the frequency of intake of vegetables were inversely related to these stores.