Abstract
Aim: To assess iron nutrition during the first 6 months of life of infants born to iron supplemented mothers during pregnancy.
Subjects and Methods: In a supplementation trial of iron plus or without zinc we followed up a group of 219 infants, during the first 6 months of life, born to iron supplemented mothers. Changes in hemoglobin (Hb) and, serum ferritin (SF) are presented. Inclusion criteria were birth at term with adequate weight for gestational age, healthy and exclusively breastfed.. Mothers received during pregnancy iron supplement (Group A=103) or Iron + zinc (Group B=116).
Results: No differences in health and nutrition status or SES indicators by group of supplementation were demonstrated. Mean Hb concentration at birth was 180.6 g/L in group A and 177.8 g/L in group B. At 3 months of age, mean Hb was 102.0 g/L and, 103.8 g/L and, at 6 months of age was 105.2 g/L and, 105.8 g/L, respectively (NS). Median SF at birth was 152.0 ug/L (group A) and 177.4 ug/L (group B), at 3 months 166.0 ug/L and 134.6 ug/L (NS) and, at 6 months this was 49.3 ug/L and, 43.3 ug/L. Hb at 3 months correlated with SF at birth (p=0.018). At 3 months there was no difference in SF by group of supplementation, SF correlated with SF at birth; values were higher in girls than boys (p <0.01). At 6 months of age, Hb correlated with Hb at 3 month (p=0.03) and with maternal education (controlling for Hb at 3 months) p=0.002. At 6 months of age 75% infants were exclusively breastfed, all had weight and height adequate for age and 62% had Hb < 110 g/L. Hemoglobin percentiles by age and sex are presented and related variables and anemia control strategies in infancy are discussed.
Supported by USAID/OHN, Cooperative Agreement DAN-5116-8051-00
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Zavaleta, N., Huasasquiche, C., Callalli, J. et al. 1 Changes in Iron Nutritional Status During the First 6 Months of Life in Infants Born to Iron Supplemented Mothers. Pediatr Res 57, 920 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200506000-00029
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200506000-00029
