Thyroid hormones in relation to feeding practices and iron status in children

ABSTRACT

The study included 80 apparently normal children aged 6-24 months, half of these children were breast fed and the other half cow's milk fed. T3 was significantly higher in the breast fed than in the cow's milk fed children. T3 in the cow's milk fed children was significantly higher with than without the addition of sold foods. T4 did not differ significantly between the breast fed and the cow's milk fed children, but significant increase occurred with the addition of solid foods in both groups of children. No significant differences could be found in the mean values of hemoglobin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity,% of transferrin saturation, serum transferrin and serum ferritin between breast fed and cow's milk fed children whether supplemented or not with solid foods. Iron deficiency was found in 25% of the breast fed children whether supplemented or not with solid foods. In the cow's milk fed children iron deficiency was found in 45% in cases not supplemented and 40% in cases supplemented with solid foods. No significant difference could be found in the thyroid hormone levels in relation to the iron status of the studied children