Administration of ferrous sulfate drops has significant effects on the gut microbiota of iron-sufficient infants: a randomised controlled study

We read with interest the work by Jaeggi et al1 and Paganinni et al2 and commend their efforts. Despite differences in iron concentration, infants' age and sequencing techniques, both studies demonstrate unfavourable iron effects on gut microbiota with decreased abundance of bifidobacteria and lactobacillus, and increased abundance of pathogenic bacteria in iron-deficient/anaemic Kenyan infants.

We have investigated changes in gut microbial composition due to iron fortification or supplementation in healthy, Swedish infants. Iron-sufficient infants at 6 months of age were randomly allocated to receive low-iron-fortified formula (1.2 mg Fe/day; n=24), high-iron-fortified formula (6.6 mg Fe/day; n=24) or no-added-iron formula with liquid ferrous sulfate supplementation (iron drops; 6.6 mg Fe/day; n=24) for 45 days. All participants gave their informed consent before inclusion through parents or legal guardians. Total iron intake was 1.2, 6.4 and 5.7 mg/day (all differences p<0.01) in the low-iron, high-iron and iron-drops group, respectively. Stool samples were collected before...

https://ift.tt/2q1RZht