In Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, the parenteral administration of 200 to 250 mg of elemental iron* to Maori neonates was completely successful in preventing iron deficiency anemia of late infancy, whereas control cases generally developed moderate to severe iron deficiency anemia. The presence of anemia in control cases appears to be related more to postnatal dietary intake of iron than to such antenatal factors as maternal parity and the presence or absence of adequate maternal iron antenatally. A dramatic reduction in hospitalizations for infec tions was noted in the treated group as compared with controls.
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