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Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

Effect of infant feeding practices on iron status in a cohort study of Bolivian infants

Authors: Rachel M. Burke, Paulina A. Rebolledo, Anna M. Aceituno, Rita Revollo, Volga Iñiguez, Mitchel Klein, Carolyn Drews-Botsch, Juan S. Leon, Parminder S. Suchdev

Published in: BMC Pediatrics | Issue 1/2018

Abstract

Background

Iron deficiency (ID) is the most common micronutrient deficiency worldwide, with potentially severe consequences on child neurodevelopment. Though exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is recommended for 6 months, breast milk has low iron content. This study aimed to estimate the effect of the length of EBF on iron status at 6 – 8 months of age among a cohort of Bolivian infants.

Methods

Mother-infant pairs were recruited from 2 hospitals in El Alto, Bolivia, and followed from one through 6 – 8 months of age. Singleton infants > 34 weeks gestational age, iron-sufficient at baseline, and completing blood draws at 2 and 6 – 8 months of age were eligible for inclusion (N = 270). Ferritin was corrected for the effect of inflammation. ID was defined as inflammation-corrected ferritin < 12 μg/L, and anemia was defined as altitude-corrected hemoglobin < 11 g/dL; IDA was defined as ID plus anemia. The effect of length of EBF (infant received only breast milk with no other liquids or solids, categorized as < 4, 4 – 6, and > 6 months) was assessed for ID, IDA, and anemia (logistic regression) and ferritin (Fer) and hemoglobin (Hb, linear regression).

Results

Low iron status was common among infants at 6 – 8 months: 56% of infants were ID, 76% were anemic, and 46% had IDA. EBF of 4 months and above was significantly associated with ID as compared with EBF < 4 months (4 – 6 months: OR 2.0 [1.1 – 3.4]; > 6 months: 3.3 [1.0 – 12.3]), but not with IDA (4 – 6 months: OR 1.4 [0.8 – 2.4]; > 6 months: 2.2 [0.7 – 7.4]), or anemia (4 – 6 months: OR 1.4 [0.7 – 2.5]; > 6 months: 1.5 [0.7 – 7.2]). Fer and Hb concentrations were significantly lower with increasing months of EBF.

Conclusions

Results suggest a relationship between prolonged EBF and ID, but are not sufficient to support changes to current breastfeeding recommendations. More research is needed in diverse populations, including exploration of early interventions to address infant IDA.

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Title: Effect of infant feeding practices on iron status in a cohort study of Bolivian infants
Authors: Rachel M. Burke
Paulina A. Rebolledo
Anna M. Aceituno
Rita Revollo
Volga Iñiguez
Mitchel Klein
Carolyn Drews-Botsch
Juan S. Leon
Parminder S. Suchdev
Publication date: 01-12-2018
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Pediatrics / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2431
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-018-1066-2

ACC 2024 Congress

Springer Medicine

Effect of infant feeding practices on iron status in a cohort study of Bolivian infants

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

ACC 2024 Congress

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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