Upper limits of iron in infant formulas.

Iron-fortified infant formula is effective in preventing iron deficiency at levels of iron that are compatible with an upper limit of 3 mg/100 kcal. However, lower levels of fortification may prove to be adequate. There are theoretical concerns about the effects of high levels of dietary iron on the absorption of other trace minerals and on resistance to infection. These considerations make it desirable to determine whether lower levels of iron fortification in infant formula will be equally effective in preventing iron deficiency in infants.