Abstract

This study was carried out to longitudinally investigate the iron and zinc intakes and correlation with growth performance of 25 male breast-and formula-fed infants from 1 to 3 months postpartum, longitudinally. There were four groups breast fed(BF) and three formula fed groups((FFM, FFN and FFP). Milk intakes and the concentration of iron and zinc from human milk and the formulas were measured. The iron content of human milk was 2.07+/-1.05(0.63~5.65) microgram/ml. The zinc content was 2.43+/-1.14(0.70~5.30) microgram/ml. Both were not significantly different among postpartum months. The average iron intake of the breast-fed and formula-fed infants was 1.6+/-0.7mg/day and 8.4+/-2.3mg/day, respectively. The iron intake of breast-fed infants was higher than previous reports. And that of formula-fed infants was higher than the RDA. The average zinc intake of the breast-fed group was 1.9+/-0.9mg/day and formula-fed infants' was 2.7+/-0.7mg/day, which was higher than the RDA. There was no correlation between these mineral intakes and the growth performance during 1 to 3 postpartyum months. So, extensive studies of the iron content of human milk and wide cross-sectional studies for establishing iron and zinc recommended dietary allowances for infants are needed.

• Keywords: early infant; iron intake; zinc intake; growth performance