5.2.1 AgeFull-term infants are norm

5.2.1 Age
Full-term infants are normally born with adequate iron stores in the liver and
haematopoietic tissue, because of destruction of fetal red blood cells soon
after birth. This leads to deposition of iron in these tissues, especially if the
cord is ligated after it stops pulsating.
Breast milk is relatively low in iron, although the iron in breast milk is much
better absorbed than that in cows’ milk. Iron deficiency commonly develops
after six months of age if complementary foods do not provide sufficient
absorbable iron, even for exclusively breastfed infants.
Iron requirements on a body weight basis are proportional to growth velocity.
Accordingly, in addition to women in their reproductive years as a result of
physiological losses, iron deficiency is most common in the preschool years
and during puberty. Another peak may occur in old age, when diets frequently
deteriorate in quality and quantity.