The aim of this study was to evaluate hemoglobin levels of exclusively breast-fed (n=115), breasf-fed + formula-fed (n=21), and iron-fortified formula-fed (n=15) term infants for six months. We compared hemoglobin, meen corpuscular volume (MCV) and ferritin levels in the three groups. No significant difference was observed for hemoglobin, MCV and ferritin levels between the groups. At the sixth month, 15% of all infants had iron deficiency anemia. These infants were exclusively breast-fed (n=14) and partially breast-fed (n=1). Birth weight was significantly lower and weight gain in the first six months was higher in anemic infants than non-anemic infants. We conclude that in infants with low birth weight and rapid weight gain, prophylactic iron supplementation must continue.

Keywords: sadece anne sütü, hemoglobin, exclusive breastfeeding