Gastrointestinal blood loss in older infants: impact of cow milk versus formula.

Concerns that consumption of whole cow milk (WCM) by older infants may result in excessive gastrointestinal blood loss and subsequent iron deficiency led us to perform a prospective, randomized study in 104 infants. Infants were assigned to receive WCM beginning at 6 months or one of three formulas beginning at 4-6 months of age and followed until 12 months of age. Gastrointestinal blood loss was similar for all groups, as determined by both qualitative (Hemoccult II) and quantitative testing (HemoQuant).

Effects of high-fiber diet on fecal blood content (HemoQuant assay) in healthy subjects.

Consumption of high-fiber diets has been recommended prior to fecal blood testing to increase bleeding from polyps, cancer, and other lesions associated with mucosal erosion in the gastrointestinal tract. The effect of a high-fiber diet on fecal hemoglobin loss was examined in 17 healthy subjects during two dietary periods: (1) self-selected diet, (2) same diet plus 24 g/day dietary fiber (Fiber One Cereal). Five-day fecal composites were weighed and homogenized, and hemoglobin concentration was determined by the HemoQuant test.