Poly-Vi-Sol with Iron Dosing for a 12-Month-Old
For a healthy 12-month-old infant, administer 1 mL of Enfamil Poly-Vi-Sol with Iron daily, which provides 10 mg of elemental iron—meeting the preventive supplementation recommendation of approximately 1 mg/kg/day for most infants in this age range. 1
Preventive Supplementation Context
Healthy term infants at 12 months of age require 1 mg/kg/day of elemental iron if dietary intake from iron-fortified foods and formula is insufficient. 1, 2
Most commercial multivitamin preparations with iron (including Poly-Vi-Sol with Iron) deliver 10 mg of elemental iron per 1 mL dose, which satisfies the daily requirement for infants weighing approximately 10 kg. 3
Iron requirements from 6–12 months are the highest per kilogram of any life stage (0.9–1.3 mg/kg/day), making supplementation critical when dietary sources fall short. 1, 4
Dietary Considerations That May Reduce Need for Supplementation
If the infant consumes iron-fortified infant cereal (two or more servings daily) or iron-fortified formula, additional supplementation may be unnecessary. 1, 2
Plain, pureed meats and vitamin C-rich foods enhance iron absorption and should be offered regularly after 6 months. 1
Limit cow's milk to <24 oz/day (if introduced after 12 months), as excessive intake interferes with iron absorption and increases anemia risk. 1, 2, 5
When Higher Doses Are Indicated
Preterm or low-birth-weight infants require 2–4 mg/kg/day (maximum 15 mg/day) starting at 1 month of age and continuing through 12 months, which exceeds what standard multivitamin drops provide. 1, 2
Treatment of diagnosed iron-deficiency anemia requires 3 mg/kg/day of elemental iron (typically as ferrous sulfate drops), administered between meals for 4 weeks, then reassessed. 1, 6
Administration and Monitoring
Administer multivitamin drops once daily, ideally between meals to optimize iron absorption, though the multivitamin format is generally given with or after feeding for tolerability. 1, 6
Green stools are common with iron-containing preparations (12 mg/L formulations) and do not indicate intolerance. 7, 8
Screen for anemia at 9–12 months if risk factors are present: preterm birth, low birth weight, prolonged non-iron-fortified formula use, exclusive breastfeeding without adequate complementary iron after 6 months, or cow's milk introduction before 12 months. 1, 2
Common Pitfalls
Do not use multivitamin drops as sole therapy for diagnosed anemia—therapeutic dosing with ferrous sulfate (3 mg/kg/day) is required. 1, 6
Avoid exceeding recommended doses, as systemic iron toxicity with hepatocellular damage has been reported at 16 mg/kg in pediatric patients. 1, 6
Maternal anemia during pregnancy increases infant risk of iron deficiency by 2.15-fold, warranting closer monitoring and adherence to supplementation. 3