| Iron deficiency is a nationwide concern. Dietary strategies issued by national organizations, aim to help prevent childhood iron deficiency. This study examined the relationship of dietary factors with iron status in WIC participants 6--24 months. This was a cross-sectional study of 50 rural infants and toddlers.;Iron deficiency was determined from one blood sample analyzed for serum ferritin (SF) and transferrin saturation (TS). Iron deficiency was defined as SF ≤ 15 ug/dL and TS ≤ 15%. Two, 24-hour dietary recalls were collected. Stepwise logistic regression was used to evaluate factors predictive of iron status.;Thirteen children (26%) were iron deficient. Iron status could be predicted from iron-fortified infant or adult cereal intake (p = 0.04). Mean SF tended to be lower in those consuming >24 ounces of milk per day (p = 0.07). On regression analysis, meat, fish, or poultry intake was positively (p = 0.018) and calcium intake was negatively (p = 0.0004) associated with SF. |
