[Iron deficiency during the first year of age].

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in late infancy. In healthy term infants iron stores are depleted at the age of four to six months and the infant becomes increasingly dependent on exogenous sources of iron. Furthermore, the iron content and bioavailability in a traditional weaning diet are low. The consequences of iron deficiency in late infancy span from pallor to risk of impaired psychomotor development. Approaches to prevent iron deficiency and problems associated with these approaches are reviewed, and general guidelines for a weaning diet as well as guidelines with special emphasis on preventing iron deficiency are given. The present article identifies infants at high risk of developing iron deficiency including: immigrants, infants from a deprived background, infants to whom cows' milk is introduced early and/or given in large quantities, and infants from families with unusual eating habits. Finally, the commonly employed clinical practice for treating iron deficiency is mentioned.