The impact of large amount whole cow's milk intake on iron status in early childhood

ABSTRACT

To determine the impact of intake large amount whole cow's milk (WCM) on iron status during early childhood (18~36 months), selected indices of complete blood count(CBC) and iron status were compared between the WCM large amount intake group (n=20)and small amount intake group (n=20). WCM large amount intake children's mean hemoglobin and mean hematocrit were 9.6+/-1.7 g/dL and 30.8+/-4.5% respectively. These range of peripheral blood with other indices of CBC disclosed the hypochromic microcytic anemia. WCM large amount intake children's some indices of CBC-hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, MCH-were significantly lower than those of small amount intake children (P<0.01). WCM large amount intake children had significantly lower mean iron, transferrin saturation and ferritin (P<0.01) and greater mean total iron binding capacity (P<0.05) than did small amount intake children. It is concluded that intake large amount of WCM for long duration impacts on the iron status of 18~36 months old children disadvantageously. It should be avoided for the protection of irreversible recognitive impairment and behavioral change.